The St. James Fire Protection District discussed funding options for its plans to build two new fire stations at its meeting June 15.
The new stations include one site at the corner of North Jefferson Street and Matlock Drive, which the district recently purchased for $150,140.46, and one site approximately one mile south of Highway NN on Highway 68, 11 miles south of St. James.
Board President John Smallwood discussed the application process for a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which the board plans to fund both stations.
“Through the help of Jack Kearbey we have been working through the application process of the grant,” Smallwood said.
Smallwood noted he received word June 14 that the architectural fee would be 12 percent of the total grant cost.
The 12 percent would include 8 percent for the engineering and bidding process and 4 percent to have a construction manager present on-site.
“The architectural fee would end up potentially being two-thirds of the grant or more,” Smallwood said.
The board noted using j. rogers architecture as the architect for the project. Jackie Rogers, owner, had previously completed plans for the south station.
Board member Mayor Dennis Wilson noted the typical cost of a 10 to 12 percent architectural fee was standard for municipal projects.
Smallwood explained because of the high architectural fees and other regulations through USDA, the board would still consider other funding options.
“In addition to grant opportunities, the fire district is considering local financing as well,” Smallwood said.
Smallwood explained once the USDA grant application had been completed, it would be sent to Jefferson City for state approval and then to the Secretary of Agriculture in Washington, D.C.
The fire district would also use a $100,000 down payment for the USDA grant.
The south station would qualify for as much as $82,500 and the main station in town for as much as $75,000, Smallwood said.
“The $75,000 amount is based on the median income of the area the St. James Fire District serves,” Smallwood said.
Work for the main station has progressed with the bidding process for site preparation, which includes leveling the lot and removing grass and topsoil.
The board also discussed the possibility of selling the unneeded topsoil.
Bids for the site preparation were due at 4 p.m. Monday. Smallwood said bids would be awarded next month or at a special meeting for the district.
The board also identified a water line, which would need to be moved for the main station. Smallwood said the board was coordinating with the city to relocate the line from the center of the lot.
The board also approved liability insurance for the main station site. Smallwood said the south station site currently has liability insurance coverage.
The building committee, which consists of several board members and Fire Chief Bruce Parton, met Monday to identify what characteristics would work well for the new main station in town. The committee also visited Belle, Mo. for ideas. The Belle Fire Department is in the process of building a new station.
The group would offer its expectations in a proposal to receive an estimated cost on the building.
