The O-W-C Fire & EMS District held their quarterly meeting on Wednesday, September 17. The minutes were approved with a correction. There was a question about whether the Clark County Sheriff’s Office would reimburse any cost associated with possibly locating a dispatch center in the new fire station or rent the space. Chairman Dan Goessl said that either way, it would need to be in writing. The new grant funds released by Governor Evers were also brought up.
They then went on to discuss the land and building appraisal results related to a possible new fire station. The land on the north side appraised at $10,000 per acre. Board member Art Petke said that sounds like a lot, but it is going to go up. Fire Chief Travis Serocki said the proposed building is 100’ by 300’. Petke said they need land not just for the building but for other stuff. They are in a cubby hole now, so why should they put themselves in another one. Goessl said they are spending taxpayer money, but they are also saving lives. Board member Jason Thornton said he didn’t think the city would sell the entire parcel. He then went on to explain the issues with the lack of water pressure for a business going in on the south side. The city could put in an above ground water system to fix that issue. The fire department could then get a lot along Cardinal Ave. that would also meet their needs. The lot would be approximately 10.5 acres. The city would put up the reservoir for fire protection and would need an easement on the north end of the lot to put up the unit. Goessl pointed out there would already be a road there. Thornton said all the infrastructure is in place. Board member Mark Klein said that no wells could be put in there per the agreement when the land was swapped between the city, county and DNR. Board member Linus Snyder had done some calculations for various estimated costs. At a cost of $3.5 million, including the land, the 20 percent match would be $700,000. If you subtract off the appraised value of the current fire station in the amount of $400,000, that would leave $300,000 for the district to pay. An eight-year loan at 8 percent would require payment of $45,315.59 annually. If you subtracted the $20,000 rent payment to Curtiss, that would leave an annual payment of $25,315.59. Dividing that payment by the eight municipalities would mean a payment of $3,164.44 per municipality for eight years.
Goessl asked if everyone was in agreement to go with the south side. Petke asked about getting both lots, but said he preferred the south side. He said if it doesn’t happen, they could still negotiate with Curtiss. Serocki said they might not need a dry hydrant with the reservoir there.
The third quarter financials were approved. There is $130,614.17 in the fire district checking account and $103,232.70 in the EMS checking account.
They went on to look at the proposed fire district budget for 2026. The budget would go to $278,891.00, an increase of 1.8 percent. Serocki said their active roster has dropped by 52 percent over time. The proposed EMS budget is $583,976.31. The municipalities only pay into that budget for the hourly shift wage. This leaves $312,587.00 assessed to the municipalities based on their equalized valuation. The budget was approved.
There have been 393 EMS calls and 62 fire calls so far this year.