City Council
MEETING DATE: 9/13/2017
TITLE:
Title
“Safe and Sane” Fireworks Program - Non-Profit Revenues and City Costs
End
FROM:
Paul S. Wilson, Fire Chief
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Informational only, no action required
Body
BACKGROUND:
On August 9, 2017 Council directed staff to prepare an analysis of the non-profits revenues for youth-oriented funding and the City’s “Safe and Sane” fireworks program costs.
DISCUSSION:
The six non-profits' collective net revenues, for local youth-oriented funding, is approximately $60,000 annually. If the “Safe and Sane” fireworks program was discontinued the non-profits would need to find alternative funding for their youth programs. Community Development Block Grant funds, appropriation of City funds or independent fund-raising are options for continuing the youth programs.
The City costs for administering and enforcing the “Safe and Sane” Fireworks program in 2017 were:
1. Public education billboards - Displayed one month in advance of June 28th at five locations throughout the City for a total of $6,900 (a sixth [electronic billboard] hosted a fireworks message for two weeks at no charge.)
2. Fire administrative tasks and fire safety inspections - Administrative support at $280 and Inspections at $952 for a total of $1,232.
3. Police enforcement - Extra police officers during July 1st through 4th for a total of $16,650.
Total City expenses $24,782.
Total fees collected in 2017 from the six non-profit “Safe and Sane” Firework vendors of $19,146 (shown below) covered seventy percent of the City’s cost for fireworks prevention and enforcement:
1. Application Fee ($100)
2. Fireworks Program Permit Fee ($2,749)
• Administrative tasks
• Public education advertising
• Police patrols
• Cleanup of public areas at end of program
3. Safety Permit Fee ($342)
• Costs associated with Fire Dept. enforcement of program, including inspections and citations (if necessary).
FISCAL IMPACT:
If the “Safe and Sane” Fireworks program was discontinued the collective impact to the six non-profits would be a loss of $60,000 annually for local youth-oriented funding.
If the “Safe and Sane” Fireworks program was discontinued the collective fees of $24,782 collected from the six non-profit groups, would need to be budgeted in additional City operational expenses, between the Fire and Police Departments, to continue fireworks safety and enforcement actions.
The total fiscal impact of the elimination of the “Safe and Sane” fireworks program is approximately $85,000 annually.
ATTACHMENTS:
Fireworks Study Session Presentation 9-13-17