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Harvey County staff recommend keeping ban on retail fireworks sales; commissioners agree
Summary
Planning and emergency management staff recommended the county retain Resolution 2010-9 prohibiting retail fireworks sales in unincorporated areas, citing enforcement and inspection burdens; Commissioners Schroeder and Scott supported keeping the ban while Commissioner Reimer said she would like to pursue allowing sales.
Planning, Zoning & Environmental Director Karen Rothe and Emergency Management Director Mike Anderson briefed the commission June 10 on a request to overturn the county’s ban on retail fireworks sales in unincorporated areas. Rothe said the county historically has not allowed retail fireworks sales and noted most surrounding counties also prohibit such sales.
Rothe told the board that "the county has never allowed the sale of fireworks" in unincorporated areas and that permitting and inspection would require more staff time. Anderson said he consulted with area fire departments and stakeholders and that "the risks outweigh the rewards," repeating concerns about enforcement and public-safety burden. Both recommended keeping Resolution 2010-9 in place.
Commissioners Don Schroeder and Terry Scott expressed appreciation for the review and agreed the county should continue prohibiting retail sales in unincorporated areas. Commissioner Becky Reimer said she would like to further pursue allowing fireworks sales and noted that retail sales are permitted within the city limits of all county cities except North Newton, providing citizens options to purchase within municipal boundaries.
The packet includes background from a May 6 meeting with the State Fire Marshal’s office, the Kansas Association of Counties and local stakeholders; staff flagged permitting, inspection and enforcement as principal challenges if the county were to allow sales.
