Fire Chief Chris Ellis said this week the process for constructing the city's fourth fire station has begun.
Ellis: "We just put out the bids . . . listed in the paper yesterday."
Once a bid is approved, Ellis said construction should take about 6-8 months; and the new fire truck the city purchased for the station (for $350,000) should be ready for pickup in September.
FIRE DEPARTMENT FINANCES EXPLAINED
City Administrator Mims said he had been getting a lot of questions concerning how the fire department is financed and asked Ellis to explain this much-misunderstood topic.
Ellis said it gets a portion of the county's property tax (1.5 mils), federal/state grants, yearly donations from citizens, and "what the city gives us each year" (contributed about $470,000 last year).
A PRIVATE NON-PROFIT CORPORATION
Ellis said the department is not a part of city government; but is under contract to provide for the city's fire protection.
To remain tax exempt under IRS laws (501c), there are strict limitations on how private donations (direct public support) may be used (operating expenses and some equipment only according to Ellis).
The department solicits donations from citizens yearly via mail (total response about $100,000 last year).
Ellis said there are currently 42 volunteer firefighters, and 12 (youth) explorers who provide assistance.
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