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Lennox council asks staff for cost estimates after fire department seeks indoor storage for equipment
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Summary
Volunteer fire department and staff presented a proposal to add indoor storage to the existing station to house equipment currently kept outside; an initial estimate of about $90,000 was cited. Council directed staff to return with rough costings and consolidation options at the next meeting.
The Lennox City Council discussed options for expanding the town’s fire station after the volunteer department asked for indoor space to store equipment now kept outdoors. The department’s representative, identified in the meeting as the Fire Chief, said the current apparatus bay is “packed in there pretty tight” and that larger or longer future vehicles would not fit comfortably without added space.
The chief told council members the department obtained an initial quote of about $90,000 for a building expansion but cautioned that the estimate likely did not include concrete work, plumbing, or electrical upgrades. “We are packed in there pretty tight,” the Fire Chief said, arguing that moving the UTV and trailer inside would reduce equipment exposure and improve readiness.
City staff framed the proposal as discussion-only at this stage, reminding the council that any city construction would have to be bid in accordance with state law. Staff also raised the possibility of consolidating public-safety facilities—police, EMS, and fire—under one roof at some point as the community grows, while several council members said they wanted to balance short-term needs with a long-term plan.
Council members asked for clearer cost information and alternatives. One council member suggested obtaining insured or assessed values of existing properties to evaluate consolidation options, and another urged staff to develop rough numbers for the next meeting so the council could decide whether to fund the addition this year or include it in a later budget.
Council consensus was to direct staff to prepare preliminary cost estimates and options, not to authorize construction immediately. Staff said it would return with a proposal at the next meeting for further consideration.
