LEXINGTON — An ordinance to reduce the number of days fireworks can be sold and discharged within the Lexington city limits was passed by the Lexington City Council during their Tuesday, Aug. 22
Mayor John Fagot said in July he asked for the ordinance to be included on the agenda and noted Lexington has traditionally allowed 11 days of firework sales and discharge.
However, people over the years have asked for the time to be shortened due to finances, frightened pets, inability to sleep and firework refuse left out on the street.
Fagot said that reducing the number of days could provide relief to people who have different sleep schedules, or nervous pets.
The council had discussed the matter in 2017 with a proposed limit of five days, but firework vendors had noted they count on the revenue that comes in during those several days and preferred being able to sell during the weekend before July 4.
Troy Wuehler, Ryan Shotkoski, and Bernie Valish expressed their concerns regarding limited sale days hurting retailers at the last city council meeting. They also questioned limiting days of sales to one day during the winter season.
The new ordinance that was approved states that possession and sale of fireworks is now only allowed June 28 through July and Dec. 29 and Dec. 31.
Discharge of fireworks is permitted, June 28 through July 3 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight and Dec. 31 through Jan. 1, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
In other business the council approved the first pay request from Husker Engineering, Inc. for the Patriot Park/Lake project in the amount of $532,878.75.
The new park and lake will be located on the northwest side of Lexington.
The council also reviewed the proposed fiscal year 2024 budget.
