West Bend council approves plan, borrowing to build new Fire Station No. 1

The Common Council of the City of West Bend voted to proceed with construction of a new Fire Station Number 1, approving Resolution 21 and authorizing the use of fund balance for property purchase and planned borrowing for the project.

The resolution, introduced and put on the floor by Alderman Zingsheim and seconded by Alderman Butchlich, sets in motion a borrowing program described in the discussion as $24,700,000 and directs CD Smith, the city's construction manager, to prepare and publish bid packages. The council voted aye; no opposition was recorded.

Why it matters: Council members and staff said the existing station no longer meets the department's operational needs. The project is intended to improve ADA access, training space, living quarters and equipment storage, and to accommodate current staffing levels. City staff said some early work could be staged immediately if the property closing occurs promptly so site prep and materials ordering can begin before full construction bids are awarded.

Council and staff outlined next steps and constraints. Ian (staff member) said the work will be divided into two main packages: an initial site-preparation and demolition package to allow early mobilization, followed by the main construction package once design plans are finalized (staff indicated plans should be finalized in early September and that major construction bids would be brought forward in October–November). CD Smith may, under its contract, accept certain early bids on the city's behalf and order long-lead materials so the project can proceed without delay. The resolution does not itself finalize borrowing; the finance officer will bring separate borrowing resolutions later.

Public comment and council discussion: During the meeting's public-comment period, resident Mary Anne Tushutek said, “I totally support the, the fire department and the need for this new facility. I think it's a a reasonable tax increase to do that and that we should we should go ahead with it.” Multiple aldermen, including Alderman Sternig, Alderman Butchlick and others, spoke in favor of moving forward, citing firefighter health and modern operational needs. Council members emphasized that construction costs and materials are unlikely to decline and that delaying the project could increase total cost.

Implementation notes and limitations: Staff said the borrowing will be presented as separate resolutions for approval and that the project may be funded in part from fund balance for the property purchase. Staff emphasized that final low-bid awards and major contract approvals will return to the Board of Public Works and the Common Council for review. No contract awards were finalized in this meeting.

The council approved Resolution 21 and the matter will proceed to the borrowing resolutions and subsequent bidding phases.