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Bannock County approves fee waiver for Toys for Tots fireworks fundraiser, organizers must secure sponsorship and insurance
Summary
The Bannock County Board of Commissioners approved a facility fee waiver and the use of the county event complex for a Toys for Tots fireworks fundraiser, contingent on organizers meeting insurance and cleanup requirements.
The Bannock County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 6 approved a facility fee waiver and the use of the county event complex for a Toys for Tots fireworks fundraiser to be organized by the Marine Corps League and local Toys for Tots volunteers.
Melissa Hartman of Bannock County Veterans Services told commissioners the recurring community event has run for decades and that last year Toys for Tots distributed 23,000 toys to area children, according to her remarks. Hartman and local Toys for Tots representatives said the Marine Corps League is exploring whether it can run the event this year after the prior organizer declined to do so.
Organizers said a fireworks contractor quoted about $25,000 for a roughly 15-minute fireworks program and indicated it would donate approximately 10% of ticket or sponsorship proceeds back to the charity. Organizers also said the contractor carries a $5,000,000 insurance policy and that the Toys for Tots Foundation can supply additional liability coverage for physical-liability risks. County staff noted that fireworks are not a standard use of the complex but that the facility has hosted the recurring event in prior years; cleanup after pallet burning (including nails in parking areas) was discussed as a condition organizers must address.
The board approved the request as presented and asked county staff to reflect one clarification in the contract: for insurance and foundation payment purposes the local coordinator listed on the agreement will be Stephanie Bersier rather than Jenny Lynn Wardlow. Organizers and staff discussed setup and teardown dates and whether community-service helpers could assist with post-event cleanup; staff indicated community-service volunteers could be used, and typical cleanup logistics (skid steer, donated trailers) were noted.
Organizers repeatedly emphasized that securing sufficient sponsorship funding is the primary hurdle to holding the event this year. The transcript did not record a roll-call vote; the motion was announced as approved during the meeting.
