March 29, 2024

City OKs multi-year fireworks contract

The Fourth of July fireworks display, along with the annual parade, are holiday staples in Newton. To continue the well received fireworks show, city council approved J & M Display for a three-year agreement starting in 2017.

“We have had rave reviews of our fireworks display over the last couple of years,” councilwoman Evelyn George said.

The Yarmouth company has supplied fireworks and put on the July Fourth show for the community for the past several years. Since the reviews of the program have been positive, a multi-year deal was offered again by J & M.

“J & M Displays offer incentives to annual customers who sign a multiple year agreement with them,” city administrator Matt Muckler said. “The city had previously signed a three-year agreement with J & M Displays in 2013.”

For each year of the contract, the city will receive an additional 15 percent of product based on the amount purchased that year. For Newton, that equates to about $1,050 to $1,200 in additional fireworks based on the approximately $7,000 to $8,000 raised each year by the park board for the show. The 2017 budget for fireworks is $7,500.

The contract does not require the city to purchase a certain amount of product each year, but does guarantee it will use J & M for the next three years Muckler said.

“It continues to sustain itself through community and business contributions so we are very pleased about that,” mayor Mike Hansen said.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com