Board approves $5,000 annual county contribution to help fund July 4 fireworks

At a scheduled 10:30 item the Board of Supervisors approved adding $5,000 per year to the Chamber of Commerce to help offset the rising cost of the county’s annual July 4 fireworks show.

A Chamber representative identified in the meeting as Cindy explained the fireworks contract this year was about $39,600 and summarized the Chamber’s existing funding: she said the county currently provides about $114,340 in support overall, of which $22,000 is identified as going to support a visitor center. Cindy said the Chamber raises sponsorship dollars and manages the parade and deck-party fundraising but requested modest county assistance to keep the fireworks tradition going amid higher vendor costs.

Supervisors discussed how transient occupancy tax (TOT) revenues are distributed and whether the city should match any county contribution; one supervisor said most hotel TOT is collected inside city limits and urged ensuring the city pays a fair share. Public commenters generally supported the event and noted tourism benefits, with one saying a $5,000 contribution is a small investment compared with the economic return from visitors.

Supervisor Short moved approval and the board voted unanimously to add the $5,000 contribution. The county will coordinate further with the city and Chamber on an MOU that would document funding and purposes.

The board did not specify a funding source beyond the direction to add the $5,000 annually and asked staff to work on formalizing the arrangement.