Commissioners debate Manchester fireworks funding; $10,000 request fails, $5,000 motion proposed

Manchester Fire Chief Ben Williams requested county assistance for the city's Fourth of July fireworks during the Meriwether County commission meeting May 26.

A commissioner moved to allocate $10,000 to Manchester for fireworks; the motion did not receive a recorded second and failed. Commissioners discussed prior county sponsorships, fundraising efforts by Manchester (letters to businesses, some sponsorship successes), and concern about setting precedent — several commissioners said they were reluctant to divert taxpayer dollars that could then be expected by other municipalities. One commissioner argued Manchester contributes significantly to county tax base and has drawn large crowds to prior events.

After debate a commissioner offered a compromise motion to provide $5,000; that motion was seconded. The meeting transcript includes the motion and second but does not record a clear roll‑call or final tally in the portion of the record provided. Several commissioners expressed frustration with the back‑and‑forth during the discussion.

Outcome and next steps: The record in the transcript shows the $10,000 request failed and that a $5,000 motion was proposed and seconded; the transcript does not clearly capture a final vote count on the $5,000 proposal. Staff were not recorded as being directed to prepare a formal intergovernmental funding agreement in the provided record.