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County outlines 20‑year lease with Northwest Consolidated Fire District for new Sunflower station
Summary
County staff summarized a 20‑year lease amendment that will allow Northwest Consolidated Fire District to occupy the new Sunflower Fire Station (county retains ownership; district pays proportionate cost recovery and later contributes to a reserve fund). The station was funded through prior board actions and private contributions and is near
County staff updated the board on a proposed 20‑year lease amendment with Northwest Consolidated Fire District for the new Sunflower Fire Station at the former Sunflower Ammunition redevelopment site in DeSoto.
Staff recapped prior board actions that led to the project: donation of land by the redevelopment entity; initial board funding authorizations (including a $7.5 million authorization for construction and equipment); a December 2022 MOU establishing that the county would own the station and lease it to the fire district; Panasonic funding that augmented total project authorization to about $17 million; and a June 2024 ground‑breaking. Staff said the station reached substantial completion in early October and is expected to become operational in the coming month.
Under the lease terms summarized, the county will remain the property owner and handle operations, repair, maintenance and custodial services; Northwest Consolidated Fire District will pay a cost‑recovery amount based on space designation and staffing and, beginning in 2031, will contribute to a reserve fund for capital or emergency repairs. The lease also includes dispute resolution, right of first offer to purchase and termination/breach clauses. Staff said exhibit materials will be provided to commissioners who requested them before formal action.
Commissioners noted the lease is broadly similar in principle to other county colocations and left the item on action pending final review of exhibits and lease language.
