HOPE MILLS — In the board’s first meeting since July, Hope Mills commissioners unanimously approved holding next year’s Fourth of July fireworks show about a week before the holiday, after hearing concerns voiced by the Parks and Recreation Department staff.
The fireworks show will be on June 27, 2026, while the holiday parade will remain on July 4 at 10 a.m.
During a presentation before the vote, Parks and Recreation Director Lamarco Morrison emphasized the urgency needed in securing a fireworks contract, noting that pyrotechnic companies’ schedules fill quickly.
“We’ve always had a three-year contract planned a year in advance, never a 10- or five-year contract,” Morrison said. Staff said most companies now offer only one-year contracts due to unpredictable future price changes and that Hope Mills hasn’t held a fireworks celebration on July 4 since 2018.
The department’s presentation highlighted that the Fourth of July — falling on a Saturday next year — requires a town-wide effort, with some staff working 14- to 16-hour days starting at 7 a.m. Depending on the chosen date for a July 4 event, staff may receive regular or overtime pay.
Fireworks costs for the three proposed dates — June 27, July 3 or July 4 — ranged from $17,250 to $25,000, according to the presentation. Overtime pay would significantly increase costs for July 4 due to the national holiday, with additional expenses estimated at $18,500 for July 3 and $23,000 for July 4. The June 27 date incurs no overtime costs, as staff would receive regular pay. These estimates exclude costs for the stage, entertainment and a petting zoo.
Staff estimated at least 3,000 people attended the 2025 fireworks show, held a week before the holiday, and said holding the fireworks a week before increased the number of viewers.
The board agreed that paying up to $23,000 plus an estimated total of $50,000 to schedule the fireworks for 30 minutes on July 4 was not in the town’s best interest.
“For $50,000 we could hire a code enforcement officer we desperately need in this town,” Mayor Jessie Bellflowers said. “I look at [hiring] someone who would work in parks and recs and clean up our streets or an extra fireman or police officer, but that’s not my decision.”
Public hearing and rezoning
Commissioners also unanimously approved three rezoning cases:
- Rezoning of 1.2 acres from a residential district to a planned local business district, a more restrictive zone, at 3429 N. Main Street and 0 Duncan St., from the intersection of Davis Street and Duncan Street
- Rezoning of 27.4 acres from a residential district with conditional zoning to a planned service and retail district with conditional zoning for an undeveloped area located at the southeast intersection of Waldos Beach Road and Rockfish Road.
- Initial zoning of 0.75 acres to a more restrictive planned commercial district zone for an undeveloped area located at 141 Missy Byrd Dr., within town limits.
The board also approved a $150,000 budget amendment. This amendment covers operational costs in the general fund, including $60,000 for contract services for grant administration, $31,000 for police department insurance needs, $50,000 for fuel for new fleet vehicles and $9,000 for parks and recreation maintenance on the Thomas Campbell Oakman Memorial Chapel.
The board also unanimously approved a $15,700 budget amendment to the 2026 annual budget ordinance. The Hope Mills Police Department asked for the use of asset forfeiture funds to pay for expenses of refurbishing “civil unrest equipment,” moving storage container boxes, and purchasing bike patrol equipment, according to the meeting agenda. These funds will be appropriated from the drug forfeiture account.
Additionally, the town swore in three new police officers: Andy Brub, Abbigail Furlan and Cristian Pena Duenas.
During his manager’s report, Town Manager Chancer McLaughlin informed the board that a portion of Golfview Road will be temporarily closed beginning Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. to Aug. 11 at 6 a.m. The closure is part of the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s efforts to widen Golfview and Rockfish Roads.
McLaughlin noted that the town is closely monitoring an approaching tropical storm, and if it impacts the area, the closure will be postponed by one week.
Commissioners will next meet on Monday, Aug. 18 at Hope Mills Town Hall. The board will hold a strategic plan update at 5 p.m., a special meeting at 6 p.m. and a regular meeting at 7 p.m.
