During the Le Mars city council meeting on Tuesday, the council approved putting a bond referendum on the ballot in November concerning a new municipal emergency services building for the Le Mars Fire-Rescue Department. If approved by more than 60% of voters, the city would issue bonds to pay for the building at a maximum price of $8 million. A similar referendum for a new $16 million firehouse was defeated by over 69% of voters last November.
Le Mars Fire-Rescue Chief Dave Schipper told KLEM that the department is balancing community feedback with the needs of emergency services in Le Mars.
New construction materials have helped to halve the proposed maximum price of the building, with any costs exceeding the $8 million price tag needing to be fundraised by the department. The name of the proposed building was also changed from “municipal firehouse” to “municipal emergency services building,” with Schipper stating the name change better reflects what the building offers.
Schipper says he hopes the changes made will help to win community support for the building.
The referendum will be placed on the general election ballot scheduled for November 3rd. Schipper says the department is planning to hold community meetings and open houses concerning the new building this fall.
