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Cedar Springs council approves two‑year fire protection agreement with Nelson Township
Summary
Cedar Springs approved a two‑year contract to provide fire protection to the southern half of Nelson Township, based on call volume; Nelson Township will cover about 19.4% of operating costs (≈$64,362.62) and pay scheduled shares toward a planned 2027 fire apparatus and capital items.
The Cedar Springs City Council voted unanimously March 12 to approve a two‑year fire protection services agreement that will extend city fire coverage to the southern half of Nelson Township beginning April 1, 2026.
Darla Falcon, the city manager, told the council the contract bases Nelson Township’s share on the city’s prior‑year net fire department expenses and call volume. "So almost 20% of our time is spent in Nelson Township," Falcon said, summarizing the call‑volume split that produces a roughly 19.4% allocation.
Under the formula presented, the city’s net fire expenses for the prior fiscal year totaled about $331,765.44, yielding an operating allocation to Nelson Township of approximately $64,362.62, to be paid in quarterly installments. Falcon also outlined Nelson Township’s share of a planned 2027 fire apparatus: the apparatus’ city cost was presented as $886,000 minus $212,000 from Kent County EMS, leaving $674,000; at 20% that initially computes to $134,800, with $15,000 already contributed under the prior contract, reducing Nelson Township’s vehicle obligation to about $119,800. Falcon said the truck payment will be made in two installments — 50% on April 1, 2026, and 50% on April 1, 2027 — and that the township will make additional quarterly capital contributions (Falcon cited a 20% share on a $126,000 capital list, or about $25,200).
Councilors asked for and received clarification that the arrangement is a cost‑sharing contract and does not transfer ownership of city equipment to Nelson Township. Falcon said the city will conserve the township’s capital contributions in the city budget for future purchases.
The motion passed on a roll call vote with the following votes recorded: Mrs. Connley — yes; Mr. Marvel — yes; Mrs. Powell — yes; Mrs. Rice — yes; Mrs. Rudy — yes; Mr. Gross — yes; Miss Asherson — yes.
The agreement takes effect April 1, 2026. The council did not attach additional conditions beyond the payment schedule and the city’s ongoing capital budgeting; staff will provide the finalized contract and exhibit details for recordkeeping.
What’s next: the city will implement the payment schedule described in the contract and provide updated actuals for the second year of the agreement in February 2027, per the contract terms.
