Kaysville City officials are considering placing a General Obligation Bond on the November ballot to fund construction of a new fire station on the city’s west side, a project intended to improve emergency response coverage as the area continues to grow. The proposed station would likely be built on city-owned property off Burton Lane, which fire officials say would improve response-time coverage in four of the six west side response zones.

During a recent City Council meeting, Fire Chief Paul Erickson presented data on service demand, response times and projected costs, explaining that emergency calls have increased about 18.6% in recent years and have remained elevated since the COVID-19 pandemic. National standards recommend emergency crews reach incidents within about six minutes in 90% of calls. Erickson said Kaysville does not currently meet that benchmark in parts of the west side, where response times can range from seven to 12 minutes or longer, depending on call volume and unit availability. “Brain injury can begin within four minutes without oxygen, and cardiac arrest survival rates decrease significantly with each passing minute,” Erickson said, noting that faster response improves outcomes in both fire and medical emergencies.

City staff evaluated several potential sites using response-time modeling and insurance-rating guidance. Erickson said the Burton Lane property provided the best coverage and roadway access compared with other options near the city operations center and along 200 North.

Preliminary estimates place construction and site work at about $15.9 million to $16 million. City Manager Jaysen Christensen said a General Obligation Bond backed by property taxes could provide lower interest rates than other financing methods. Estimated annual debt service on the bond would be $1.1 million to $1.2 million, or about $114.90 annually for a home valued at $690,000. Added operational costs, including staffing and equipment, are estimated at about $195 annually per average home, for a combined estimated cost of about $310 per household.

Erickson said the station would help maintain current service levels as the city grows rather than expand services beyond existing standards. Annual staffing costs are projected at $2 million to $2.2 million for firefighters, paramedics and benefits. Existing apparatus could initially support the new station, though additional engines will eventually be required as equipment ages. Erickson noted that fire engine manufacturing timelines have increased to 46–50 months, according to manufacturer Pierce.

Councilmember John Swan Adams asked whether a smaller satellite facility staffed by fewer personnel could reduce costs while still improving response times for medical calls. Erickson said national standards require a minimum number of firefighters on scene and that splitting existing crews between two locations would reduce response capability. He added that a small satellite station staffed by one or two personnel would not meet fire-response requirements or provide adequate coverage.

Mayor Tamara Tran said the city has discussed building a station on the west side for several years as development has increased in that area. She also noted that earlier discussions about forming a regional fire district with neighboring cities had not moved forward.

On March 5, the City Council determined to conduct added work meetings to consider placing a General Obligation Bond on the ballot. Tran emphasized that discussion this evening did not represent a final decision on funding or ballot placement. Christensen said state law requires ballot language to be finalized at least 75 days before an election, meaning the council would need to act by August for the measure to appear on the November ballot.

Public comments during the meeting reflected differing opinions on how the city should proceed. Resident John Sanders urged council members to decide rather than placing the issue before voters. Sanders, who lives on the west side, said he is concerned about response times and potential liability if emergency services cannot reach residents quickly.

Resident David Airhart said discussions about building a second fire station have taken place for nearly six years and expressed concern that the project could stall if voters reject the bond. He encouraged the council to pursue alternative funding options if that occurs.

If voters approve the bond, design work would begin first, with construction potentially starting in late summer 2027 and taking 10 to 13 months, based on comparable projects.