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Carmel leaders earmark $5 million in supplemental LIT to seed West Side fire station
Summary
The Carmel Common Council heard a mayoral proposal to repurpose the city's Water Distribution building into a seventh fire station for the West Side and agreed to set aside $5 million in supplemental LIT as initial funding; officials described a procurement and hiring schedule that could open the station by July 1, 2028.
An administration proposal to repurpose the city's Water Distribution building as a West Side fire station moved forward after the Carmel Common Council agreed to reserve $5,000,000 in supplemental local income tax (LIT) as seed money.
An agency official speaking to the council described the plan as a way to "leverage a city asset," reduce costs and accelerate delivery of much-needed public safety capacity for the West Side. The official asked the council to dedicate the $5 million in supplemental LIT as the initial investment to bring the station to life.
Deputy Mayor Annabelle Vantreese, who gave the council's opening report, and several council members praised the approach as creative and fiscally responsible. CFO Zach Jackson told the council the city's midyear revenues were roughly $8 million, or 10.2%, over forecast, driven chiefly by a $5.2 million supplemental LIT distribution, a $1.1 million insurance reimbursement and $900,000 in early property-tax payments. Jackson said reserving some of the supplemental LIT for the fire station was a reasonable use of the unexpected funds.
Council members pressed the administration on staffing and equipment. The administration said it expects to use a build-operate-transfer procurement method (BOT) and, if construction begins by July 1, 2027, the station could open by July 1, 2028. The staffing plan calls for hiring 14 firefighters, with hires starting about Jan. 1, 2028, to allow six months of training before the station opens, the administration said.
The proposal prompted questions about ongoing costs and the timing of additional appropriations. Jackson flagged that the fire department is on track to use its overtime budget and that an additional appropriation will likely be needed before year end to cover overtime for current operations.
Council members said they support the commitment to deliver a new station while acknowledging that some project details — including the exact footprint and maintenance reassignments for other facilities — may change as design and procurement move forward.
The council did not adopt a final construction contract at the meeting; it reserved the funds and directed staff to proceed with planning and procurement steps. The administration said it will return with a formal plan and timeline for council review and appropriation as design advances.
