By John Dobberstein, Editor
A seemingly never-ending debate over fireworks use in Broken Arrow came to an end Monday as the City Council voted to amend its ordinances to nix the annual permit and fee.
Broken Arrow residents are no longer required to obtain a permit or pay a fee with fireworks on July 3 or July 4 as long as they’re discharged between 3 p.m. and 11 p.m. on those two days.
Third Ward Councilwoman Christi Gillespie moved to approve the revised ordinance striking the permit and fee, and it was seconded by 4th Ward Councilwoman Lisa Ford. It was approved 4-1, with At-Large City Councilor Johnnie Parks dissenting.
“I really don’t think it’s fair for every individual homeowner to have to pay a fee and ask permission from the government to do fireworks,” Gillespie said. “There’s something about it that doesn’t feel right.”
Parks still feels a permit should be required. “Somebody, I felt like, needs to be responsible when they’re setting off fireworks. So, I haven’t changed my mind,” Parks said.
Residents who purchased a $22 permit this year will be mailed a refund check to the address listed on the permit application. Permits went on sale in April but were paused in May when the City Council began considering abolishing the permit requirement. Gillespie raised the issue after receiving calls from citizens.
The amended ordinance says fireworks are legal only on July 3 and 4, and anyone discharging fireworks outside those times will be subject to a $225 fine, plus costs. Fines double for those discharging fireworks between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
The person discharging the fireworks is responsible for cleaning up debris on the same day the fireworks are used, and it is still not permissible to discharge fireworks on city property. Commercial grade fireworks and public displays still require a permit.
Broken Arrow voters approved a ballot measure in 2006 to legalize fireworks in the city limits but a permit would be required — although it didn’t mandate a fee. The proposition passed by a vote of 14,795 in favor and 8,985 against.
The original intent years ago was for the fees to pay for off-duty police officers to go out and work those shifts. In the early years, police and fire officials worked overtime shifts for enforcement. But city data shows the number of citations issued dwindled over the years.
The city explained in 2022 that revenues from permit fees in each fiscal year were used by the finance director to provide a budgetary estimate for fees expected to be raised for the following year.
The fees raised went to the city’s general fund and were allocated through the budgeting process for the police department.
In recent years, city officials have received mixed opinions on the success of permitted fireworks discharge. Some questioned the level of enforcement and the fate of the money collected by fines associated with violations.
Some residents followed the rules and bought permits, while others did not but continued to set off fireworks, critics said. The city has taken more flak from homeowners who have pets, or family members who are veterans with PTSD or other mental health issues.
Some on the City Council tossed out the idea of multi-year or one-time permits, or possibly having permits without fees. There was also a proposal to put the permit and fee back on the ballot for a vote in 2022 but the City Council elected not to do that.
Richard Jagel says
For MANY years there was a miniature frog, dressed according to the weather, atop the mailbox of 233 E Dallas St. I always drove by to see how he was dressed. Very cute outfits. The frog is gone! Why has this happened? I am not the only one who drove past to see and laugh at the frog. I think it would make a good local story and answer why Mr. Frog is gone.