Salina Journal News: County not looking to city to inspect

County not looking to city to inspect

3/25/2009

County not looking to city to inspect

By DAVID CLOUSTON

Salina Journal

If the possession and sale of fireworks are permitted in Saline County, it won't fall to city inspectors to see that fireworks tents are operating safely, Saline County commissioners decided Tuesday.

Commissioners at their weekly study session Tuesday expressed support for hiring a private contractor to do fireworks stand inspections.

"I think it's this board's intent that we're not expecting the city inspectors, under the existing interlocal agreement, to play any part at all in this," Commissioner Jerry Fowler said.

Commissioner John Reynolds and Commission Chairman Randy Duncan agreed.

Commissioners are considering a resolution that would permit the possession, storage, use and sale of fireworks for a short time around the July 4 holiday. The resolution should be ready soon for public comment and a commission vote.

If Saline County lifted its ban, it would join Ottawa, Dickinson, Ellsworth, Lincoln and McPherson counties, where fireworks are permitted, Duncan said.

If fireworks sales are allowed, county counselor Mike Montoya told commissioners they should have a certified and insured inspector inspect the stands, to protect the county's liability for accidents or property damage from a fireworks-related incident.

City inspectors perform commercial building and fire inspection services in the county through a contract.

For the fireworks stand inspections, Reynolds suggested the county consider contracting with an academic center for firefighter training, possibly Hutchinson Community College or the University of Kansas.

"And I think (Saline County) Emergency Management is the one that needs to be doing the front-running on that," Fowler said. "And also looking to see what training may be available to them, as well."

Montoya recommended to commissioners that the county's emergency management office make the contacts to find an inspector.

Fowler made Montoya's suggestion into a motion, which was quickly approved by all three commissioners.

n Reporter David Clouston can be reached at 822-1403 or by e-mail at dclouston@salina.com.