Next Tuesday, Nov. 7, Hailey voters will decide whether spending $2.3 million to fund the construction of a new fire station in the Woodside neighborhood is in their best interest.
The $2.3 million fire station bond request is the only ballot measure Hailey voters are set to consider during the upcoming elections.
The proposed Woodside fire station isn't meant to replace Hailey's approximately 5,200-square-foot fire station on Third Street. The city's long-range plans call for another fire station to be built somewhere in the northern part of the city, perhaps in the Northridge neighborhood, Hailey Assistant Fire Chief Carl Hjelm said last week.
"We have a master plan to address that deficiency as well," Hjelm said.
Once that station is built—something that could take a number of years—the city's Third Street fire station could then be retired, Hjelm said.
The city has cited inadequate response times to the Woodside area, a need for greater station coverage, a desire to ensure better retention of volunteer recruits and, lastly, protection of the city's existing fire insurance ratings as key reasons why voters should mark "yes" on their ballots next Tuesday.
One of the primary issues of contention that's been raised ahead of the upcoming vote is the design of the building. In addition to a 4,800-square-foot main apparatus bay, the building would also include a 2,800-square-foot administrative wing as well as 2,765 square feet of residential living space.
At a total estimated cost of $680,000, the station's residential space contributes significantly to its overall cost. Hailey officials have said the residential space could be used immediately for another fire department's existing full-time staff under some sort of cooperative use agreement or, sometime in the future, full-time firefighters with the Hailey Fire Department.
In the event voters approve the $2.3 million bond, annual payments would be structured to match $190,000 annual bond payments city taxpayers are now paying. Taxpayers will make the last of the bond payments for the Hailey City Hall and library on Aug. 1, 2008. Payments on the $2.3 million fire station bond would last for 21 years.
The remaining difference between the $2.3 million bond request and the estimated $2.7 million cost of the Woodside fire station would be paid for with budget reserves. Other options to pay for the approximately $400,000 difference between the bond request and the total cost of the fire station could come from anticipated local option tax funds, government grants or both.
Some city residents have come out against the bond measure, saying the city should explore consolidating services with Blaine County before building a new station in Woodside.
Image courtesy of Hailey Fire Department
This artist?s rendering shows the potential design of the proposed Woodside fire station. The station, which Hailey is asking voters to help fund through a $2.3 million bond, would include space for full-time firefighter living quarters, administrative offices, a public meeting room and large apparatus bays.
