The issue of legalized fireworks in Iowa is once again a contentious topic of conversation for the Perry City Council, as they seek to improve on the City’s current fireworks ordinance.

Last year, as the sale and use of fireworks was legalized statewide for the first time, some cities including Perry had to work quickly to get ordinances on the books. The Council felt the ordinance was poorly followed and enforced last year, so they’re looking to make changes for this year. The first was a decrease in the fine from $500 to $250, as Police Chief Eric Vaughn said officers were hesitant last year to issue such a large citation. The other change would be to lengthen the amount of days fireworks could be legally used. Last year they were only allowed on July 4th, but under the new ordinance it would be extended from the 1st through 4th.

City Administrator Sven Peterson says the conversation will continue until the City finds an ordinance that works, but he believes it will be an uphill battle. “I think we’ll be able to come to a resolution, but fireworks are going to be one of those things that not everybody is going to be happy. Not everybody is going to get exactly what they want, just because there’s so many ways to go about it. And quite honestly, I feel for the Police Department, because no matter what City Council does and sets as the rules and the laws for fireworks, it’s just really difficult to enforce. So hopefully this year, everybody can be a lot more respectful of law enforcement and the laws of Perry.”

The first reading of the ordinance passed by a 4-1 vote, with Vicki Klein providing the dissenting vote. A motion then failed to waive the rules and have the second and third readings right away, so those will take place at the first Council meeting in June. The Council members universally encouraged all Perry citizens to reach out to them and voice their opinions on the ordinance. To learn more, listen to yesterday’s Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program at RaccoonValleyRadio.com.