By Jennifer Eberbach
mlive.com
SCIO TOWNSHIP, Mich. — About $13.2 million in bonds will bring a new fire station to ScioTownship, just west of Ann Arbor.
The bonds, issued March 12, will fund the construct and equipping of a fire station on Wagner Road, south of Liberty Road. It marks a milestone in a multi-year effort to expand fire services in the community.
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The bond issuance follows years of planning that began with a 2022 Fire Services Guidance Committee report recommending a second fire station in a high-population area of the township.
Township voters approved a 2.7 mill tax to fund the fire department in November 2024, with 59% supporting the measure. Prior to that, voters had shot down two previous versions of the millage.
“The Fire Services Guidance Committee included residents from both urban and rural areas of the Township as well as business leaders, fire staff and township staff,” township Treasurer Ryan Yaple said in a statement.
“This FSGC reviewed the data and key criteria such as the six-minute response time, 2 in/2 out rule, and number of firefighters that are required by call type to conclude that a second fire station was critical to provide sufficient fire service to the growing Township population,” Yaple, who served on the committee, said.
After voter approval, the township issued requests for proposals and hired an architect and construction manager. The township Board of Trustees determined the bond amount after receiving project bids. S&P Global gave the township an AA “stable” credit rating, which helped officials secure favorable financing terms.
“I’m really proud of the strategy we employed to make the most of the taxpayer dollars needed to build the new fire station,” township Clerk Jessica Flintoft said.
Flintoft said they came up with a strategic approach to public funding that was “as cost-effective as possible.”
Township Fire Chief Andy Houde said the department will monitor project spending closely.
“I am thankful to the Board of Trustees and Township residents for their support for this important public safety project,” Houde said in a statement.
“As we receive the proceeds from this bond sale, we will scrutinize every expense to ensure we are getting the best value for the residents’ tax dollars,” he said. “Our goal is to bring the project to completion on time and under budget.”
Construction is planned to begin this spring.
Generative AI was used to organize information for this story, based on information provided by Scio Township. It was reviewed and edited by MLive.
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