The Captiva Island Fire Control District\u2019s commission received an update on the Rauschenberg property and directed staff to continue to pursue a potential purchase at its recent meeting.<\/p>\n
On Oct. 7, Fire Chief Jeff Pawul and Commissioner Jeff Brown provided an update on their fact finding and due diligence into the possible acquisition of the property\u2019s parcels in order to expand or improve the district\u2019s services with a new fire station, helicopter landing zone, boat dock or more.<\/p>\n
Brown reported that the final appraisal of the land was expected to be completed later that week, but they had the ranges for the six parcels that they are looking at so they could start evaluating them.<\/p>\n
He continued that they have been researching three parcels on the north side and three commercial parcels on the south side of Captiva Drive. They included the commercial ones to include all options. In considering the parcels, they looked at the feasibility of a new station, with space for expanding.<\/p>\n
Brown explained that one of the parcels is 1.5 acres and would be about $4.5 million to $5 million. However, it would really only be suited for a station. On the bayside, there is a parcel about 1 acre, but it could be combined with another for about 6.5 acres total for a cost of $17 million to $18 million.<\/p>\n
He spoke about the Rauschenberg studio space and possibly adapting it by breaking EMS out of the current station or even using it for the Lee County Sheriff\u2019s Office deputies assigned to Captiva.<\/p>\n
Looking at all of the parcels on the bayside, it would be about 9.8 acres at a cost of $27.5 million to $29 million. Brown noted a $6 million delta between one property combination or the other. The lower option would be $23 million, but the district\u2019s operations would be located on two sides of the street.<\/p>\n
In terms of millage rate impact, it would be 1.3 to 1.4 mills for the bayside versus about 1 mill.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not going to be cheap,\u201d he said of any of the options.<\/p>\n
Pawul noted that he went into the research knowing that it was not going to be cheap, but it is more expensive than he thought. He continued that acquiring all of the bayside parcels would be the cleanest option as far as having all their operations together and not split up, but it is also the most expensive.<\/p>\n
He added that the land is gone once it is sold, unless the buyer sells off what they do not want.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf this 10 acres sells, it\u2019s going to be developed,\u201d Pawul said.<\/p>\n
They asked for the other commissioners\u2019 appetites for the $23 million versus the $29 million option, with Brown noting that any potential purchase will require a ballot referendum and voter approval.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s not going to be another chance,\u201d Commissioner Sherrill Sims said, calling the bayside parcels \u201cperfect\u201d for the district\u2019s current and future needs. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to go for an opportunity like this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe price tag\u2019s high, but \u2014 it\u2019s everything we need,\u201d Commissioner Carole Campbell said.<\/p>\n
The commission agreed to proceed with the possible acquisition of the bayside parcels to keep all of the operations together, despite it being the more expensive option, and to put it to the voters to decide.<\/p>\n
Pawul reported that Brown and he would figure out the financials next.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen see if the community supports it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
IN OTHER NEWS<\/p>\n
\u2013 The commission voted unanimously 3-0 on a resolution approving updates to the district\u2019s administrative policies.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Pawul reported that the district filled two of its three new positions from the recent testing held. Firefighter-EMTs Mason Kennington and Douglas Leuge were expected to start the following week.<\/p>\n
Kennington is fresh out of firefighter-EMT school and previously worked in the field of radiology, while Leuge is a former firefighter from Kentucky who become certified in the state of Florida.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we look forward to those guys starting soon,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Pawul continued that the district will hold another round of testing toward the end of the year or beginning of the new year with the goal of filling the third final position that remains open.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Pawul reported that the district responded to 22 incidents in September.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Pawul reported that the district conducted 23 fire inspections in September.<\/p>\n