Fairview amends budget, sets aside up to $750,000 for police training facility after public debate

The Fairview Board of Commissioners voted to amend the city's FY2024'25 budget to appropriate funds that could be used toward a proposed police training facility, including a $750,000 amount identified as potentially needed this fiscal year.

The measure, adopted 5'0'00, was presented by City Manager Tom Daugherty as an amendment containing several changes the board previously requested; Daugherty said civil engineers and consultants had provided design work and a range of cost estimates and that the appropriation would allow planning and procurement steps to proceed without returning for a separate emergency appropriation. "They said it could be anywhere from around $500,000 to $1.12 million," Daugherty said of the consultants, adding they had estimated that "they could possibly spend up to $750,000 this fiscal year." The ordinance passed on the board's motion and second and a roll-call vote of five ayes.

Why it matters: Fairview police leaders say a local, dedicated training facility would let officers train frequently, in varied conditions and without traveling offsite. Police Chief Humphreys told the board training there would be limited to law enforcement and that the department plans to use the site primarily for its officers, with possible limited mutual-aid training by neighboring agencies. Chief Humphreys said, "It's designed for our use, police use only." He and other presenters argued that frequent, realistic training reduces operational risk and liability.

Key facts and debate: - Cost estimates: Consultants supplied a wide range. Daugherty said consultants provided earlier work (soil testing and design development) and estimated a total cost range of about $500,000 to $1.12 million; staff proposed $750,000 as an amount that might be needed in this fiscal year so work would not be stalled if construction steps advanced. - Completed work: Daugherty listed earlier expenses for the project that he said had already been billed in FY25: soil testing ($7,400), concept/topographic survey ($7,265.24), schematic development ($18,671.40), design development ($12,447.60), construction documents ($9,335.70) and septic mapping ($11,800). He said CEC (civil/environmental consultants) is preparing final documents and that a planning commission submittal is the next procedural step. - Use and access: Chief Humphreys said the site would have no public access and would be controlled by the police department. He said neighboring agencies would be allowed limited use under agreements but that the city does not plan to generate revenue from outside users. - Tower and height: The design includes a multilevel shooting tower with a roofline that may exceed the city's 35-foot height limit; Daugherty and the chief said planning approvals will decide whether a tower is part of the site. The chief described the tower as incorporating multiple firing positions and a rappel capability on the back side.

Public concerns: Several residents spoke during the citizens'comment period and later in the budget discussion about the proposed location and its history. Resident Erin Debose said the site is protected by deed restrictions and told commissioners, "History does not rewrite itself." Ray Goodman and other commenters asked staff to clarify specific budget codes and whether consultants and code updates are funded. Neighbors raised environmental concerns about noise in a nearby nature preserve and potential stormwater runoff from an adjacent retaining wall.

Board'level exchange: Commissioners pressed staff for documentation about consultant prices and asked whether the board should approve the appropriation now or wait for a more concrete site-development plan and refined cost estimate. Daugherty and Chief Humphreys said the appropriation would not obligate immediate construction; it would make the money available (appropriated) so planning and procurement can continue without returning to the board to reallocate bond proceeds if projects accelerate. Daugherty said funds would come from bond proceeds, not current operating tax revenues.

Next steps: Staff said CEC will complete remaining design and site work, the planning commission must review site development materials, and any construction would require standard bidding and permitting. Commissioners emphasized the appropriation does not itself authorize construction; further approvals and required variances would be needed before spending.

Ending: The budget amendment including the police training facility line item passed unanimously, and staff said they will provide documents from consultants and the planning submission to commissioners as they become available.