The town’s only fire station is too small to house modern fire rigs and other equipment necessary for effective public safety. [New Pelican]
By John Hayden | New Pelican Writer
LBTS – The town has worked for years to have no debt and a perfect credit rating. Is it time to use that to Lauderdale-By-The-Sea’s advantage?
Costs for law enforcement and EMS/fire/rescue are skyrocketing and being negotiated simultaneously. But the town is also staring down a major, one-time cost: a new public safety building. This could be the biggest single expenditure ever undertaken by local government here. Commissioners got their first look at that cost during the May 26 town commission meeting: as much as $43 million.
That would build a new complex including a public safety building for fire and law enforcement, space for the city administration and more. Repayment would be about $2.7 million per year for 30 years if the town were to issue bonds.
This option already seems to overshoot the mark, as the town wants to cap payments at $2.5 million. However, if the town made a $5 million down payment, the annual cost drops to $2.4 million. Commissioner Theo Poulopoulos said, “There’s no need for anything that’s $43 million,” and no one rushed to contradict him.
A number greeted with less shock was $31.9 million, which would likely focus solely on a new public safety facility. That would come in at $2 million per year. These numbers are a jumping off point. Interest rates will likely fluctuate, the costs of labor and building materials could rise, and other factors could change the numbers before the bonds are issued.
The commission also wants to make sure they build something that will be functional for 30 years or longer. Wilton Manors built a combined city hall and police station in 2010 and WMPD officers say the agency has already outgrown the facility. The town could also explore hybrid options with a cost between the aforementioned high and low estimates.
The need to get the ball rolling on a new public safety building is urgent. The town needs to find a new fire/EMS provider and is in negotiations with Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue and BSO. The administration is also exploring the idea of bringing back its own departments, but that is likely to be cost prohibitive.
Both Fort Lauderdale and BSO would require a new public safety building as part of any deal. The current one is out of date; unable to house modern fire rigs and other equipment necessary for effective public safety. “We can’t wait too long on this,” Vice Mayor Randy Strauss said. “What we have right now is unacceptable.”
Commissioner Richard DeNapoli disagreed. “We could do nothing at all.” He has suggested the town explore a cooperative with other small municipalities for safety services. This is a strategy most often seen in more rural areas. Staff will now work with engineers and financial planners to put together options for commissioners to consider.