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Swisher council weighs shifting fireworks responsibility to Fundays committee, considers $15,000 sponsorship
Summary
The council debated ending the multi-year fireworks agreement and instead sponsoring Fundays (a suggested amount discussed at about $15,000) while letting the Fundays committee run fireworks logistics; members raised concerns about insurance, volunteers and long-term funding.
Council members spent substantial time discussing whether to terminate the annual fireworks agreement with J & M Displays and to instead have the Fundays committee run fireworks with the city acting as a financial sponsor. Speaker 2 proposed the city "become a sponsor of Fundays and to just cut a check to Fundays and let the Fundays committee run everything," noting the current contract expires next year and the city could instead provide an annual donation to cover fireworks costs.
Council members pushed back with practical concerns: volunteers are already scarce and transferring full responsibility could mean the committee drops fireworks or other events; insurance implications and permitting (fireworks permits remain required) were also raised. The council agreed to discuss the proposal with Fundays representatives before making a final decision and to let the current contract run through the next year while planning a formal procurement process in 2025.
