Geneva City Council approves new fire hall construction
GENEVA - The Geneva City Council unanimously approved the construction of the city’s new fire hall at Tuesday night’s meeting.
The Geneva Rural Fire District voted strongly in favor (119-63) of the new fire hall last November.
Lacey Construction was awarded the $1.7 million contract, which is less than the initial projected cost. $885,000 will be provided by the Geneva Rural Fire Board. The remaining balance will be funded by a 20-year City of Geneva bond with the intent to keep the impact to taxpayers as minimal as possible, according to mayor Eric Kamler.
Construction is set to begin in mid-to-late fall of this year. The new fire hall will hold up to 11 trucks and provide much more space for training and equipment.
"I think this will also help with recruitment and retainment of fire and rescue members," Geneva Rural Fire Chief Mike Grothe said. "The department needs to keep moving forward with all of the new capabilities required of us, and a new station fits in well with that."