East County task force flags $50M-range estimate for adding fire stations as regional planners seek comparisons

Staff reported on the May 8 East County Regional Task Force meeting where a financial analysis considered options to move the region toward an 8.333-station model. The consultant’s raw estimate placed additional station-related capital and operating costs in the low-to-mid $50 million range; staff said the group asked for comparables (per-FTE, per-station and per-capita averages) from similarly sized departments to better understand assumptions and alternatives. "They put that cost somewhere in a call in the low to mid $50,000,000 range," staff said when describing the analysis.

The group discussed the need to explain service levels (for example, whether the plan represents a 'gold' or 'silver' level of service) and the tax impacts for property owners. Council members emphasized the need for 'real' proposals with direct comparisons to other departments and said the city still prioritizes locating a station within Wood Village/Fairview boundaries. Staff noted polling and an open house will gather public feedback; the task force will return with comparative averages and follow-up analysis before any formal commitment or ballot referral.