City Commissioners voted 4-1 during their Aug. 5 meeting to send fireworks to the November ballot.

Commissioner Joe McKenney voted in opposition, repeating his preference for the commission making the decision.

As proposed, the ballot measure asks voters to approve or disapprove an amendment to city code that would restrict the use, sale and discharge of certain fireworks within city limits.

The proposed ordinance would prohibit the use of aerial devices, such as shells, rockets, and cakes, and devices
designed to explode, such as Roman candles, salutes, firecrackers, and similar items.

Public hearing set for Aug. 5 on sending fireworks to the ballot

The ordinance would continue to allow the use of novelty and other consumer fireworks as defined by Montana law, such as sparklers, fountains, snakes, and other non-explosive, non-aerial fireworks.

The ballot language, as proposed, would ask voters if yes or no to striking out the line in existing code “only those fireworks authorized by state law are permissible” with:

A. Fireworks permitted to be sold and discharged within the municipal limits of the City of Great Falls are limited to those allowed by Mont. Code Ann. § 50-37-105 (2025), except that the following fireworks are strictly prohibited: 1)
fireworks designed to leave the ground, such as rockets, shells, cakes, missiles, and roman candles; and 2) fireworks designed to explode upon activation, such as salutes and firecrackers. Permitted fireworks typically include sparklers, fountains, ground spinners, snap caps, smoke devices, and novelty items.

B. Except as provided in paragraph A, above, or in city-approved and permitted public displays, fireworks (as defined by Mont. Code Ann. § 50-37-101) are not permitted to be sold and/or discharged within the city limits under this
chapter.

City moving toward sending fireworks to November ballot; no vote yet

The change will only be incorporated into city code if a majority of voters vote yes.

Many have suggested that commissioners put options on the ballot, but under state law, they aren’t allowed what is essentially a multiple choice question on the ballot and must ask in the form of a yes or no question.

The estimated cost to add the question to the November ballot is $88.

The estimated cost of the municipal election is $66,704.67, including the addition of the fireworks question, according to the county elections office.

Commissioners considering fireworks rule change; no action yet taken

During the Aug. 5 public hearing, Heather Rohlf spoke on behalf of herself and her husband in favor of limiting fireworks in the city limits.

Rohlf is also the city’s code enforcement official within the city planning office.

She said they have to medicate their dogs during fireworks, law enforcement has more pressing matters to worry about and fireworks have gotten bigger and louder.

Sunday Rossberg, a local attorney, said through tears that both of her dogs died on July 5 in an incident in which one killed the other after Rossberg had seen fireworks in her neighborhood.

City officials to discuss changes to fireworks rules on July 15

Anitra Hall said her neighbors don’t follow the existing rules and gets yelled at for calling out their violations.

Huge fireworks are “terrifying” whether done at night or during the day and “there’s got to be a limit on the intensity of those. There’s got to be limits.”

Hall said she felt that commissioners should make the decision.

One person spoke in opposition to the action, saying she opposed the proposed ban.

Commissioners pointed out the proposal wasn’t a ban but a change on allowable firewworks.

Commissioner Susan Wolff said she’d vote to send the question to the ballot though it wasn’t her preference since she felt they were elected to make such decisions.

Commission Shannon Wilson said that when there are issues with strong feelings on both sides, such as abortion or marijuana, those questions were decided by voters on a ballot.

She said there was enough of a call for it to be on the ballot.

Fatal fire believed to be caused by fireworks

Commissioner Joe McKenney said most of the ballot measures Wilson mentioned had been citizen driven through petitions and it shouldn’t be driven by those elected to make decisions.

“If every controversial issue goes to the ballot, why are we here,” McKenney said, and voters elected them to use their judgment. “I think we’re passing the buck on accountability and it just bothers me. We don’t serve Great Falls by avoiding controversial issues.”

Commissioner Rick Tryon said that he didn’t support banning fireworks, but wanted the people with concerns to have those concerns addressed.

He said he wasn’t avoiding making a controversial decision and “I have no problem making controversial decisions. I’m not punting or passing the buck, because I don’t do that.”

Tryon said regardless of the November vote, the city will have to address enforcement of existing or updated fireworks regulations.