County approves Croydon fire station RFP and signs interlocal with Wasatch Peaks for expanded emergency coverage

Commissioners voted May 6 to pursue two separate, complementary steps to strengthen fire and EMS coverage in outlying parts of Morgan County.

First, the commission approved a design-build request for proposals for a 40-by-50-foot unmanned Croydon satellite station sited on county-owned land adjacent to Croydon Park. Chief Boyd Kerrigan told commissioners the county already owns the roughly 1-acre site and utilities (gas, water, power) are accessible. The commission reviewed contractor estimates that ranged from $120,000 to $230,000 for a basic, insulated pole-barn structure and staff estimated an additional $50,000–$70,000 for septic, earthwork and utility connections; commissioners directed staff to proceed with a 40x50 design-build RFP.

Kerrigan said the facility would store a brush engine and space for a water tender and would rely on volunteers already living or working in the area, including several employees at a local cement plant who have expressed interest in training and staffing shifts. He said adding the station would improve local response and provide storage for recently purchased apparatus that otherwise would remain outdoors.

Second, the commission approved an interlocal facilities-and-service agreement with Wasatch Peaks Road & Fire District to place an interim, staffed station near Peterson and to share staffing and apparatus. Under the agreement commissioners approved, Wasatch Peaks would fund 90% of incremental costs and Morgan County would fund 10% during the contracted period. The approved interlocal establishes an initial three-year term (auto-renews annually thereafter unless terminated with 12 months’ notice) and specifies that Wasatch Peaks would operate an interim station with staffing coverage (the district indicated plans for daytime coverage, expanding toward 24/7 as resources allow) and provide fire and ambulance equipment including a new ambulance.

Commissioners and the district representatives stressed the arrangement is intended to be a partner-driven approach: the district gains improved ISO recognition and coverage for its residents while the county improves response times and gains a staffed ambulance closer to Mountain Green and Peterson. Ed Schultz, a Wasatch Peaks trustee, said the district and Morgan County had discussed distribution of apparatus and sharing training; he said the district’s volunteers and employees would support the Peterson station. The commission voted to authorize issuance of the Croydon design-build RFP and to enter the interlocal agreement with Wasatch Peaks.

Officials said timing is important: station siting and the RFP timeline would inform grant eligibility and the county’s ongoing ISO review, which had been left open to permit adjustments as the county adds capacity.

No final construction contract or appropriation was awarded at the May 6 meeting; commissioners directed staff to return with RFP responses and cost details for formal award and to identify funding sources (county fund balance, impact fees, grants) once bids are in.