(Estherville)– The Estherville City Council this (Mon.) evening will consider a proposal for a joint public safety facility that would house the city’s fire and police departments.
The city council in March finalized the purchase of a facility at 3303 Murray Road as a new location for the fire department. In a memo to council members, City Administrator Penny Clayton says a spatial analysis of that facility has determined there’s enough room to house both departments at the site.
A shared space in the facility would be used as a joint training facility, with the fire department maintaining the primary use of the shop space for vehicle and equipment storage and staging. The Estherville Police Department would utilize the office wing and secure vault for evidence storage and a single garage bay.
Clayton goes on to say in the memo that the city would then sell the existing police station with that revenue going back to the General Fund. She estimates integrating the two facilities will save the city about $35,000 a year. Clayton says that would come at a critical time as the Iowa Legislature debates property tax reduction proposals that could have a significant impact on revenue the city receives.
The Estherville City Council convenes at 5:00 pm today (Mon.) at city offices.
