Lewis County voters living in Onalaska’s Fire District 1 will have the option to vote on a bond issue that, if approved, would finance construction of a new fire station on Alexander Road in Onalaska.
The issue was put on the ballot by a resolution passed by Fire District 1 commissioners which would issue no more than $1.7 million of general interest bonds to be paid back through excess property tax levies.
Assessments indicate Fire District 1 property owners would be on the hook for an estimated $0.61 per $1,000 of assessed value, said Fire Commissioner Rich Bainbridge. Property assessed at $200,000 would tally to $10.24 a month toward repaying the bond, set to mature in 20 years.
Onalaska’s main station at 244 Carlisle Avenue has had a troubled past with mold and asbestos. After the Department of Labor and Industries pointed out a list of needed fixes, Bainbridge said the commissioners had to ponder whether the old building was worth the price tag to fix.
Both of the fire department’s buildings have been assessed at $88,000, said Bainbridge, and they have thus far paid around $40,000 or $50,000 for upkeep of one building alone.
Plans and permits have been approved for the project, and although Bainbridge couldn’t advise on the exact square footage, he said the space would allow storage of all department equipment and be better suited to satisfy training needs than the current setup.
Additionally, Bainbridge said flyers have been sent to all post office boxes in the fire district, providing a break down of the project, advising any questions be directed toward the fire chief or any one of the commissioners.
