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Council approves MOA to site new Fire Hall No. 1; member warns of unknown costs and 39-month timeline
Summary
Council authorized a memorandum of agreement with the Tennessee Department of Military to site a new Fire Hall No. 1 and training tower (R2510-80); a councilmember expressed concern that the agreement contains no firm cost figures and noted a 39-month construction timeline after land acquisition.
The Gallatin City Council voted unanimously on Nov. 4 to authorize the mayor to sign a memorandum of agreement with the Tennessee Department of Military to allow siting of a new Fire Hall No. 1 and a training tower, under Resolution R2510-80.
Councilman Gervontz told the council he had discussed the proposal with Fire Chief Biman but remained concerned the MOA did not include a clear cost figure for site-related work or eventual construction. He warned that "we're signing a contract with no real number on it because even if we get the land, the land is not free," and noted the timetable in the agreement allowing 39 months from land acquisition to completion, which he said could be optimistic. He added that final costs could vary depending on site conditions and other factors.
City staff and other councilmembers expressed support for the agreement as a step toward siting a needed facility, but the exchange highlighted that some budgetary and site-assessment work remain before construction. The resolution passed unanimously; the transcript records no binding, final project budget at the Nov. 4 meeting.
