Broward County’s three biggest Fourth of July fireworks shows will cost a combined $171,000 this year because of higher gas prices, increased security and a spike in the fee to rent ocean barges.

“Unfortunately, everything has really increased,” said Marcy Zambelli, co-owner of Zambelli Fireworks, which raised the price of Pompano Beach’s show to $45,000 — up from $30,000 last year.

In Hollywood, “We knew it was going to be more expensive,” said Roguey Doyle, special events supervisor for the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts. “The barge costs have skyrocketed. It used to be we could get a barge for $4,000 or $5,000. Last year, it was $15,000 for a barge. This year, it’s up to $23,000.”

In Fort Lauderdale, Fireworks by Grucci budgeted $26,036 for its barge and hasn’t even reserved one yet.

Various federal and state agencies have passed regulations that constrain the use of fireworks, “and those regulations come down on all parties including the barge people,” said Grucci spokesman Philip Butler. “They only rent to us once a year and they consider us an annoyance. They charge accordingly.”

Fort Lauderdale gave a controversial touch to its financial crisis last year when July Fourth fireworks were recommended to be sliced from the budget. Private companies paid the $30,000 bill.

This year, the city set aside $40,000 but had to bid the job twice, because the first bid brought in only one proposal, for $80,536.

Commissioners ended up with two bids — one for $88,000 and Grucci’s for $66,036 — and selected the lower bid after being told a group of businesses was willing to pay the entire cost. Michael Kelleher of Regroup Development LLC offered in writing to raise the money, saying he had commitments from Stiles Corp. and other businesses. Grucci is planning only an 18- to 22-minute show although the city had asked for 25 minutes.

Pompano Beach usually asks businesses to sponsor its show and this year is working to come up with the unexpected extra $15,000.

Companies can make a tax-deductible donation of $100 to $1,000 and walk away with goodies such as being listed in a thank-you ad, a free round of golf at the municipal course and tickets to a VIP fireworks party.

Lisa Spinelli, the city’s recreation leader, said so far she has raised $21,000. Last year, she raised $8,000 above the $30,000 cost.

“Every year the price of the fireworks seems to go up a little bit but not a whole lot,” she said. “But to go from [$30,000] to [$45,000] is just — ugh. But we’re plugging along. Most of the businesses are anxious to get involved and get their name out there. Still, to raise $45,000 is a lot of money to raise.”

In Hollywood, an unexpected hike in cost last year forced the city to cut its fireworks from 30 minutes to 16 minutes. This year, organizers planned ahead and persuaded the beach CRA to contribute $20,000 in addition to $40,000 budgeted by the city. The show is run by Melrose Pyrotechnics.

Had the CRA not come up with the $20,000, “we would have definitely had to hit the pavement and start getting sponsors,” said Doyle, adding the event is important to the businesses on the beach.

“Basically, that’s Happy Birthday, America,” Doyle said. “It has a tremendous impact on the beach merchants. Summer is their slowest time of the year. Typically, we get 100,000 people on the beach [for the fireworks.]”

Deerfield Beach locked its price with a multi-year contract and will pay $30,000 again this year. Dania Beach, which also shoots its fireworks from its pier, faces a $10,000 bill, the same as last year.

Costs for inland cities have also stayed the same. Coral Springs will pay $25,000, Sunrise $15,000 and Plantation $12,000.

In Pembroke Pines, the fee leapt from $17,000 last year to $20,000 this year because the city wanted a grander show.

Staff Writers Shannon O’Boye, Robin Benedick, Sallie James, Susannah Bryan, Jeremy Milarsky, Kevin Smith and Lori Sykes contributed to this report.

Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at or 954-572-2008.