ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — City leaders in Altamonte Springs unanimously passed its $121 million budget Wednesday night, removing funding for “Red Hot and Boom,” but funding the library for the next fiscal year.
“After 29 years it was time to retire Red Hot and Boom,” said City Manager Frank Martz. “The size of the event had outgrown our venue, and we had 220,000 people there this year. So, it was a perfect time after the 250th birthday of our country to take a step back, retire, something that’s been a great friend to everyone.”
The city spent $950,000 on Red, Hot and Boom. It’s considered the largest fireworks event in Central Florida. Martz said he is not ruling out potential offers from private donors to pick up the tab.
Commissioners funded the Altamonte Springs Library, increasing its budget from $266,000 to $500,000 through September 2027. Martz said he is not ruling out potential offers from private donors to pick up the tab for Red, Hot and Boom.
City leaders chose to cut non-essential items from its budget instead of increasing fees on residents. Martz said the city has raised fees in the past and it didn’t seem necessary to do it this time around.
The budget cuts are part of an effort by commissioners to lessen the financial impact ahead of the Amendment 3 property tax vote in November. Altamonte Springs could lose about $23 million in revenue if that measure passes, leaders said.
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