Fireworks sales inside the City limits of Smithville may be permitted in time for Independence Day celebrations.
The Smithville Mayor and Aldermen last month took the first step toward lifting the ban which has been in effect since 1982.
Under the proposed ordinance, which was adopted on first reading, a vendor may apply for a permit good for 12 months at a fee of $500 but sales would only be permitted from June 20 through July 9 and from December 21 through January 5 covering the time periods of Independence Day and New Year’s Day.
Applicants must also adhere to state laws applicable to the sales of fireworks as well as other regulations outlined in the city ordinance.
Second and final reading passage is planned at the next meeting of the mayor and aldermen Monday night, June 5 at 6:00 p.m. at city hall. WJLE plans LIVE coverage.
The aldermen are also expected to adopt a new $6.3 million dollar budget ordinance on first reading for the 2017-18 fiscal year. The new spending plan calls for a 45% increase in water rates and a 35% increase in sewer rates effective July 1 to make up the difference in lost revenue from the departure of DUD as a water customer. The city property tax rate would remain the same at 64.9 cents per $100 of assessed value.
The agenda also calls for the aldermen to award a bid for the removal of a vacant two story brick house at 929 Allen’s Chapel Road near the airport which has been declared by the city as surplus property. The city recently had to purchase the house for demolition and the trees around it will have to be removed because of FAA regulations prohibiting obstructions within the airport’s glide zone. The home was purchased using TDOT Aeronautics grant funds. The city’s local grant match was 5%.
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