The board of directors of the Southern Platte Fire Protection District announced there will be a no tax increase bond issue on the ballot on April 3.
The board declared their intent to issue general obligation bonds in the amount not to exceed $10 million for the purpose of acquiring equipment and improving buildings and facilities for the district.
The bulk of the $10 million would go to construction of a new station, No. 65. The cost, with land, comes in at roughly $6 million. Expansion and remodeling of station No. 61 at 1st and East streets in downtown Parkville and the addition of cancer prevention equipment for $2.3 million are also planned.
Cancer prevention equipment, refurbishing and an addition to station No. 63, located at 18011 NW 45 Highway in Parkville, is budgeted at $1 million.
Other plans include land purchase for station No. 61 is $250,000; breathing apparatus standard for the entire department is $300,000 and miscellaneous special apparatus/equipment for $150,000.
The bond rate is projected to stay between .0550 to .07 cents per $100 assessed valuation. The average debt tax rate has been .0968 centers per $100 assessed valuation over the past 18 years, but the rate is expected to be lower based on current economic conditions.
“With the conclusion of the present bonds that were issued almost 20 years ago, if this question is approved, the district will be able to continue superior service to the community while actually lowering the average debit service tax rates,” SPFD board president Nelson Hopper said in a press release. “This is projected based on the current economic climate. The board of directors has worked very hard at ensuring good stewardship of the taxpayer’s dollars.”
The SPFD district has four stations and protects more than 38,000 citizens in Platte County, including Parkville, Weatherby Lake and Farley. They also provide mutual aid assistance to the Kansas City Fire Department and Riverside Public Safety.