FIRE STATION FUNDING

Monday, March 14, 2016, Goodyear City Council participated in a worksession to discuss the FY17-26 Capital Improvement Program.  The goal was for council to provide staff feedback on its priorities for funding on future projects. Please watch the video here.

Why are we concerned? We've been keeping an eye on the status of Estrella's next fire station through previous blogs.

So, where do fire stations stand on the list of funding priorities?

About half way through the meeting, the presentation turns to "General Funded Programs - Projects Requests."  City staff initially recommends fire stations be listed on deferral for future impact fees.

We added fire stations to your list simply because of your recent conversations just to put it up here and let you know it’s on our radar… but that we know the study is pending and we’ll wait for that project. ~Lauri Wingenroth, Budget and Research Manager

The reality? The city is going to spend an anticipated $65,000 on a study to determine when new fire stations should be built... including Estrella's next facility... even though the fire chief has demonstrated current demands for services.

On the list of funding, fire stations fall to a "gathering place" (rec center and aquatics facility) in bond priorities. Council members agree a recreational gathering place needs to move forward. (Council and staff discussed opening various stages of the park in phases through 2020.)

City Hall gets pushed back. And.... ANOTHER $100,000 STUDY is planned to figure out where the train park should be relocated. Again. Here's some history on the historic train station.

Speechless.