Norris council OKs extra money for July 4 fireworks
Inflation isn’t confined to grocery bills, gasoline prices or other consumer purchases: It’s also threatening such institutions as Independence Day fireworks displays.
That’s what the Norris City Council learned during last week’s regular meeting, when the city’s Fire Department told the council that the usual $5,000 budget for the July 4 downtown fireworks show would bring much less bang for the buck this year than it did last year.
Vendor Pyro Shows of LaFollette has told the Fire Department that for the budgeted $5,000, the city this year would get a show lasting only about 10 minutes,
But with a price increase to $6,750, Norris could have the same 25-minute show it has gotten in the past, including as recently as last year.
To solve the problem, the council voted unanimously to approve an increase in the budget to pay for the full-length show like last year’s, rather than settle for a lot less.
But the council was told that it’s possible the Norris Lions Club might donate up to $1,000 of the extra $2,750, and other donations might also be available.
The council had to go ahead and approve the increase during the May meeting so the fireworks order could be placed at least 30 days in advance, as required by Pyro Shows.
The fireworks show comes at the end of the Norris Day celebration on July 4.
In other business, the council:
• Set the first reading of the fiscal year 2022-23 city budget for the regular council meeting Monday, June 13, followed by a public hearing on the budget at 6 p.m. Friday, June 24, and second/final reading and passage of the new budget during a special meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, June 27.
The new budget takes effect July 1.
• Approved on first reading an ordinance to set a $1 monthly increase, to $16, for the city’s refuse and recycle fee, which is added to each customer’s water bill. The increase resulted from a higher price being charged by the company contracted by the city for refuse and recycling collections.
The increase will be considered on second and final reading during the June 12 council meeting.
• Approved on final reading an ordinance that incorporates the state’s criminal-trespass laws so such cases in Norris can be heard in city court. The council was told that the issue primarily would involve criminal trespassing offenses in the Norris City Watershed.
• Approved on final reading a measure adopting state of Tennessee traffic offenses and rules of the road as city ordinances, so violations can be handled in city court.
