2024 03 19 City Council Packet 1

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FINANCE DEPARTMENT 
MEMORANDUM 
TO: Deb Wallace, City Manager 
FROM: Mike Keith, Finance Director 
DATE: March 6, 2024 
SUBJECT: Fireworks for July 4, 2024 
Attached is a proposal from Pyro Shows for providing fireworks on July 4, 2024 at Athens Regional 
Park.  The proposal provides the same shells as in 2023 and is the same price as last year’s show. 
This will allow staff to approve the same setup as last year for allowing citizen access to the park.  
It would be the recommendation of staff that the day be the same as last year so that the park is 
open all day and the concession stand opens at approximately 6 p. m.  No other activities would 
be planned during the day and people can arrive at any time up to the gates closing at 9:15 p. m. 
The other item that needs to be dis cussed is the payment for the fireworks.  A $22,500 deposit 
will need to be made when the contact is signed.  These funds will need to be paid by the City in 
March so that our event can be scheduled  with Pyro Shows.  It is my recommendation that the 
City make the payment from the General Fund .  The question will come up about using 
Hotel/Motel funds for this event.   Hotel/Motel taxes are to be used for tourism and tourism 
development and I believe it is hard to justify a large amount being paid out of these taxes since 
this is more of a localized event.  Something in the ra nge of $3,000 to $5,000 might be 
appropriately funded with these taxes.  There is always the possibility of doing fundraising as was 
done last year.  By starting in March, City staff can work with the Parks Foundation for it receiving 
donations.  The other question  to be ans wered is who will coordinate the fundraising  and this 
can be discussed at Study Session. 
I believe this is everything needed for discussing this is sue with Council.  Please let me know if 
you have any additional questions.  
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