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Temecula delays decision to add 50-drone show to July 4 celebration amid budget concerns
Summary
City staff proposed adding a 50-drone performance to the July 4 program at an estimated cost of $35,000 with a $10,000 deposit; council members asked staff to pause and return with funding options during the budget process.
City staff told the City Council and the Temecula Community Services District (TCSD) board on April 22 that the city could augment its July 4 fireworks show with a 50-drone aerial show similar in scale to the New Year’s Eve program. Director Jonathan Russo said the company requires a $10,000 deposit to begin designing the animation and that the total cost would be $35,000.
Russo said the drones would be staged on the lower parking area by the Ronald H. Roberts Temecula Public Library, fly over the adjacent hillside so most viewers could see them, return to the launch pad, and then allow the fireworks to commence. "The individual animations would be different and those would be designed based on whatever guidance the city provides," Russo said.
Council members raised concerns about the source of funding and competing priorities. Councilmember Stewart said he could not support the proposal while the city faces economic uncertainty and urged reinvesting event funds into Old Town businesses. Councilmember Schwenk and others said the New Year’s Eve show had been popular but agreed pausing the drone idea until budget clarity would be prudent. President Schwenk confirmed there were no public comments on the item.
The council and TCSD subcommittee members did not approve the drone show tonight. Instead they instructed staff to pause and revisit the proposal during the budget process; President Schwenk said the item can be brought back when more fiscal information is available. No formal appropriation or contract award was made at the meeting.
The city did not vote to spend the deposit or the $35,000 described in the presentation; staff said the funds would come from TCSD operating funds if the council later approved the program.
Members of the public and business stakeholders will have additional opportunities to comment if the council brings the item back during budget deliberations or on a future TCSD agenda.
