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Council declines to raise fireworks booth fees after split vote
Summary
Council considered a staff proposal to add fireworks booth application and program fees to the master fee schedule and to raise the license fee; after a public hearing the motion to adopt the updated fees failed and the existing fee schedule remains in effect.
Council opened a public hearing on a staff proposal to amend the master fee schedule to include fireworks booth application and program fees and to adjust fees based on a cost‑of‑service matrix and CPI. Staff said the changes would account for staff time, public safety review and program administration and would not affect the current season; they would take effect for the next season.
After a brief public hearing, council voted on the proposal. Staff summarized the fee changes (application fee from $137 to $140; license fee from $150 to $336) and said the full cost per license was approximately $475 with an unrecovered cost of roughly $188 (about a 40% subsidy). The motion to adopt the updated fee schedule failed on a council voice vote, so the current fee structure remains in place.
Councilors who opposed the increase said the current level of taxpayer subsidy and fairness to nonprofits merited keeping the existing rates; those who supported the change cited cost‑recovery. Because the motion failed, staff will leave the current fireworks booth rules and fees unchanged until the council decides otherwise.
