By NICK BUDD
Hays Post

At Thursday’s work session, Hays city commissioners will discuss revising the current fireworks ordinance.

The current ordinance states the commission can decide whether to allow or suspend the sale and use of fireworks at the final regular meeting in the month of May before the Fourth of July holiday in order to provide vendors with the proper amount of time for preparation.

When the city does allow the use of fireworks, consumer use of fireworks are allowed between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. on July 2, 3 and 4. This summer, the commission initially put a ban on the sales and use of fireworks due to the regional drought, but after a significant amount of June rain, the commission allowed the use of fireworks at a special meeting the week before the July 4 holiday.

During the various discussion throughout the month of June, commissioners asked to discuss the ordinance at a later work session. Commissioner Shaun Musil asked that the ordinance be clarified.

The city has supplied commissioners with statistics regarding fireworks-related calls from the police and fire departments this year. From July 2 to 5, four fire calls were called in and the police department responded to 49 fireworks-related calls.

Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said “due to the difficulty in being able to identify the person(s) igniting the fireworks, and in obtaining the evidence to aid in prosecution of these cases, no citations were written.” City staff will recommend the commission place a permanent ban.

Click HERE for a complete agenda for Thursday’s work session. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.