It will cost roughly $1,400 more this year
By Kellen Olshefski
Corrrespondent
The City of Elkhorn Common Council voted unanimously in favor of approving spending an additional 13 percent on fireworks for this year’s July 4 fireworks display at its meeting Monday night.
The cost for the city to light up the sky this summer will cost approximately $11,900, nearly $1,500 more to feature the same level of display as last year.
Councilmembers were informed at Monday’s meeting that J&M Displays, the company the council had approved a three-year contract with for its fireworks display, had notified the city it would either be raising its cost by 13 percent or the city would be receiving 13 percent less fireworks for this year’s show.
City Clerk Cairie Virrueta said representatives from J&M Displays informed her that the company is being charged 13 percent more by China for the fireworks this year, and that is the reason for the price increase for the City of Elkhorn.
When the company raised its price by $500 last year, City Attorney Ward Phillips was asked to review the contract with J&M Displays.
At that time, Phillips informed members of the council that the three-year contract was for a $10,000 fireworks display each of the three years. However, Phillips said that the amount of product the city receives for that $10,000 could change depending upon the amount of product J&M Displays is able to purchase for that $10,000 price tag.
Phillips said according to the contract, the city is guaranteed a $10,000 fireworks display – whatever amount of fireworks that translates into in any given year – plus an additional 15 percent for locking in the three-year contract.
In addition, if payment is made to J&M early enough, the city also receives an additional 8 percent of product, accounting for a total 23 percent above what the city has paid for.
Ultimately on Monday, the Council voted in favor of approving the approximate $1,400 increase to receive the same level of fireworks display that was featured in the city as last year.
According to the Elkhorn Area Chamber of Commerce calendar of events, this year’s fireworks – part of the City’s Star Spangled Celebration – are scheduled for dusk (at about 9:30 p.m.) on June 28 in Sunset Park.
