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County keeps McIntosh fire‑station suppression project high in ICIP while investigating well and cost details
Summary
Commissioners agreed to prioritize a McIntosh Fire Station sprinkler/suppression project in the FY2028–2032 ICIP while staff seeks engineering estimates and explores whether a variance from the State Fire Marshal is feasible; funding options and well capacity remain unresolved.
County staff and the fire department discussed options May 13 to bring the McIntosh Fire Station into compliance with State Fire Marshal rules requiring sprinklering for facilities with sleeping quarters. Fire Chief Gary Smith and Grants Manager Jody Cornwall presented preliminary cost estimates for a dedicated 30,000‑gallon suppression tank (above‑ground steel roughly $95,000; below‑ground fiberglass roughly $110–120K) plus site prep, concrete pads and pumping/electrical systems.
The group flagged water‑rights and well‑capacity questions: staff said a second well was drilled in 2023 and initial production tests were approximately 15–20 gallons per minute; the Office of the State Engineer indicated additional new wells are unlikely. Chief Smith suggested exploring variance options while proceeding with engineering to finalize costs. Commissioners asked staff to obtain detailed engineering quotes, clarify which well feeds the station and treat the McIntosh suppression project as a high ICIP priority while resolving technical details.
There was also discussion about a $90,000 legislative capital outlay for a comprehensive fire plan; staff suggested repurposing or clarifying scope to yield actionable products (for example, water supply mapping or standpipe/cistern assessments) if the original consultative product would not be cost‑effective.
