Dahlgren will not be hosting July 4 fireworks this year. FILE/THE FREE LANCE-STAR

Rising costs lead King George to cancel July 4 fireworks at Dahlgren

By COREY BYERS

Date published: 3/15/2008

Exploding costs have fizzled this year's Fourth of July fireworks show at the Naval Support Facility at Dahlgren.

King George County supervisors decided not to hire the only company to apply for a fireworks contract after the price rose to $18,000. Director of Parks and Recreation Tim Smith said the county paid $10,000 for last year's show.

The board considered cheaper options, including signing a multiyear, discounted contract or a show with fewer fireworks. But with a tight budget already forcing cuts, supervisors decided to abandon the celebration.

"We could spend zero and go somewhere else," Chairman Cedell Brooks said. "It just doesn't make sense this year."

Supervisors looked into the possibility of splitting the cost with the base, to no avail.

Base spokesman Gary Wagner said the Navy hasn't paid for the display since before 1990. He acknowledged county budget concerns, but noted that the base's budget has not included funding for fireworks.

Wagner said the Navy has paid for the set-up costs, entertainment and staffing for the event, which is open to the public. It intended to do so again this year.

"In terms of our investment, we've made a very strong investment," he said.

Wagner said base commander Capt. Judy Smith has canceled public activities at Dahlgren July 4, since "fireworks are the culmination" of the holiday celebration. An event for base residents is still in the works, and Wagner said the Navy plans to work with the county on a joint event in the fall.

Meanwhile, supervisors are keeping an eye on this year's budget and planning spending cuts for next year.

"With all the budget issues going on, that's a nicety," Smith said of the show.

The Parks and Recreation budget had $15,000 set aside for the event. Smith said the money will go either toward other department expenses or back to the county for other uses.

Corey Byers: 540/735-1976
Email: cbyers@freelancestar.com

King George supervisors are considering the following actions for their 2008-09 budget: TAX RATE: Advertise a 5-cent increase in the real-estate tax rate to 49 cents per $100 of assessed value. Supervisors can pass a lower amount than advertised. SCHOOLS: Using lower projected student enrollments than the School Board and state, supervisors tentatively plan to contribute a little less than $12 million in local funds. The School Board asked for $16 million. COUNTY STAFFING: A 2 percent salary increase for employees; laying off two employees in the Department of Community Development; removing $100,000 from the budget for a fair market value salary increase for employees (excluding public-safety workers). REGIONAL AGENCIES: Adjusting contribution requests from the George Washington Regional Commission, the disAbility Resource Center of the Rappahannock Area and Micah Ministries. Supervisors also may lower the county's contribution to the Rappahannock Area Health District by $30,000. FRED SERVICE: Funding only one, rather than two buses, to serve the county for staggered day service. OTHER EXPENSES: Replacing seven sheriff's vehicles and giving money from this year's anticipated budget surplus to the School Board for school buses. Supervisors are expected to announce their maximum possible tax-rate increase and budget at Tuesday night's meeting. A public hearing is expected to be held by mid-April. The budget goes into effect July 1.

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Date published: 3/15/2008

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