Fireworks Are Banned In Osage Beach, But That Could Change Before July 4th

As America approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Lake of the Ozarks area City of Osage Beach is considering allowing people to shoot off fireworks.

Shooting fireworks is currently banned inside city limits, but at their June 4 meeting, Osage Beach aldermen discussed whether they ought to lift that ban. And some were hoping to get it done before Independence Day.

Alderman Justin Hoffman made a strong push for the city to lift the ban. “On Memorial Day I had several constituents come to me… and ask whether they’re going to be able to shoot off fireworks this Fourth of July,” Hoffman told the board.

The proposed ordinance, which is based on an ordinance that was proposed years ago but voted down by aldermen at that time, would lift the city’s fireworks ban on July 3, 4, and 5. Alderman Kevin Rucker, who expressed hesitation about lifting the ban, pointed out that a version of the proposed ordinance he had been given would lift the ban for all federal holidays, not just July 4. It was not clarified whether all aldermen were looking at the same version of the proposed ordinance, and no ordinance language was officially set before the board for any vote during the meeting.

Hoffman made the case to allow not only the discharging of fireworks but also the sale of them within the city. “I think we are missing some sales tax here,” he said.

He also pointed out that the current ordinance banning fireworks is ignored by some residents. “They are shooting them off now as it is,“ he pointed out. “I see them all over the city.“

But in contrast with Hoffman’s eagerness to lift the ban before July 4th, Rucker urged the board to proceed slowly. “I think we are moving way too fast,” he said, noting such an ordinance change would impact other departments, such as the building inspector and police department. He pointed out the fireworks ban had been in effect for a long time.

“Right now, I’m opposed to it,” Rucker said, stressing he didn’t care about the urgency of changing the ordinance before July 4, so much as making sure “we do it right.“

“I agree we should take a good look at it and do our due diligence on it,” Hoffman said.

The discussion ended with Mayor Richard Ross saying the board and city staff should work to “see if there’s any avenue to get this on the June 17th agenda. And if there isn’t, there isn’t.”