Unmatched coverage: The Dayton Daily News is committed to providing in-depth coverage of how your tax dollars are being spent.
Many local Independence Day fireworks displays would not be scheduled this weekend if taxpayers had to finance them.
A survey by this news organization of how local governments pay for fireworks show two communities in the four county region — Piqua and Lebanon — rely solely on taxpayer dollars. Others use a mix of public and private donations or private sponsorship only. Many cut funding for Fourth of July celebrations after cuts to the Local Government Fund and revenue loss from other tax changes.
“Our local government does not pay for the fireworks, or any part of the Fourth of July event,” Kim Farrell, city parks superintendent said. “All costs for our event are covered by private sponsors.”
Beavercreek canceled its celebration in 2014 because of budget restraints, but the city found sponsors to cover the full costs of the event in 2015 and again this year, according to Farrell.
The city of Dayton is contributing about $53,500 to the Lights in Flight display, which will be held at the downtown Dayton riverfront on Sunday.
Marion’s Piazza, the sponsor, pitched in $20,000 for the fireworks show.
The city is expecting a turnout of 10,000 people or more, said Stephan Marcellus, Dayton’s recreation program coordinator
Vandalia fully funded its Star Spangled Celebration event through 2003 with taxpayer dollars, but it was canceled in 2004 after city council could no longer justify the expense, said Rich Hopkins, communications manager for Vandalia. The city saves money on the event by holding it on July 3 to avoid premium charges fireworks vendors often charge for displays held on July 4, he said.
Vandalia sought sponsorships to help with the costs in 2005 after citizens said they wanted the show to return.
In 2010, Vandalia partnered with Butler Twp. to coordinate and fund the fireworks along with other sponsors. This year the show costs $27,000. Sponsorships will cover $8,500 and the remaining expense will be split between Vandalia and Butler Twp., according to Hopkins.
Huber Heights and Troy also use a mix of taxpayer money and sponsorships.
Donations and sponsorships cover about half the cost of the Huber Heights Independence Day fireworks show. The city covers the remaining expense with $35,000 of funds budgeted for this purpose, according to city manager Rob Schommer .
“Several years ago, through citizen engagement, it was determined an overwhelming number of residents want to have a quality fireworks display,” said Schommer.
The Troy fireworks display is financed by the city, Concord Township and the Troy Foundation. This year’s show on Monday, July 4, is $31,500, according to the city.
“We have a great partnership with Foundation and township, and there has been no discussion of changing or canceling,” said Patrick Titterington, the city’s service and safety director.
In Tipp City, where the city and Monroe Township trustees have paid for the fireworks display, support was sought this year from businesses.
City Manager Tim Eggleston said he was asked by city council to look into willingness by businesses to support the display. A letter to businesses asked for support and offered an extra incentive to the first 10 sponsors donating $125 or more.
The letter drew $2,125 in donations. The city and the township had shared in the cost of the $16,500 for the show with the township paying $6,180 toward the bill. Each entity’s cost will be reduced proportionately based on the donations.
Changing times in government funding, including legislators in Columbus reducing local government dollars, could affect quality of life activities such as the fireworks displays, said Eggleston.
“I don’t believe the city or township want to see this event go away,” said Eggleston. “No one is certain of what the future holds with the direction our legislators in Columbus are taking …Should they continue down this path, local governments will need to look at the budget and reduce or eliminate those quality of life issues that are not related to the maintenance of city facilities and/or infrastructure such as street maintenance.”
The city is grateful for the local business support, Eggleston said, adding, “That is what community is all about.”
Centerville and the Village of Waynesvillemake donations to organizations that sponsor their fireworks.
Centerville's City Manager, Gregory Horn, said the city does not fund the fireworks display directly, but instead, makes a $10,000 annual contribution to Americana Festival, Inc., a local non-profit organization. This organization works throughout the year to plan, promote and manage the Americana Festival, which includes a parade, fireworks, street fair and 5k run.
“There has been no lapse in our community’s annual fireworks display, but the crowds have gotten noticeably larger since other areas have eliminated their displays,” said Horn.
The City of Centerville also provides security, traffic control, refuse and street clean-up for the Americana Festival’s events.
Village of Waynesville Mayor Dave Stubbs said most years the city can afford to donate $800 to the American Legion in Waynesville to help pay for the annual Independence Day fireworks display.
“We feel the donation to the American Legion is appropriate use of taxpayers’ money,” said Stubbs. “The annual fireworks show is well-attended by Village residents, as well as many people from outside the Village.”
The American Legion sponsors the show and private donations and donations from other civic groups also help to offset some of the costs.
Yellow Springs, Fairborn and Xenia are among the localities that receive no public financing.
In Yellow Springs the Fourth of July parade is sponsored by the Odd Fellows. The Village does not pay for anything but the police escort during the parade and police presence at the fireworks show, according to Patti Bates, Yellow Springs Village Manager.
A 20 member citizen committee raises $20,000 for the City of Fairborn’s celebrations, including fireworks, parade and July 3 block party expenses.
“This is a large two-day event in Fairborn, and one of the largest in southwestern Ohio, if not the entire state,” said Katie Lewallen, public relations specialist for Fairborn.
This event does not cost Fairborn anything, according to Lewallen.
In Xenia, the Fireworks Festival is co-promoted with the city’s First Friday event that will precede the fireworks show Friday. The Kevin Sonnycalb Memorial Fireworks Festival display does not cost the City of Xenia anything; it is sponsored by the Kevin Sonnycalb Family, the Xenia Rotary Club, Greene Memorial Hospital and others, including individual citizens in the community.
“The City of Xenia recognizes the hug positive impact of both the First Friday events and the Fireworks Festival in our community and their inherent quality-of-life benefits,” said Lee Warren, the city’s public relations coordinator.
Warren said the city paid an average of $9,000 in personnel time last year for police, fire and maintenance services provided and coordinated by the city to ensure public safety and a friendly atmosphere.
Staff Writers Sharahn D. Boykin, Larry Budd, Corneilus Frolik, Will Garbe, Malik Perkins and Contributing Writer Nancy Bowman contributed to this report.
About the Author