Orange City, Iowa — Orange City voters have overwhelmingly approved a $2.7 million bond issue to help finance a $3.5 million expansion of the city’s fire station. Fire officials say the expansion is needed due to safety and overcrowding issues.
The vote count was 976 for, to 191 against. That’s 83.63 percent voting “yes”. The bond issue needed a 60% “supermajority” to pass.
Orange City Fire Chief Denny Vander Wel says the current fire station, built in 1973, lacks adequate training and work space and has limited storage. The chief also says there is an increased need to clean and sanitize equipment, gear, and firefighters, as they get into much more than just wood smoke.
The plan is for the Orange City Fire Station to be expanded by 11,700 square feet, and 3,200 square feet of the current station will be remodeled. The station is to include a gear room, showers, ADA-compliant restrooms and a chief’s office.
More information on the proposed expansion can be found on the Friends of the Orange City Fire Department’s website, www. friendsoftheocfd.com, or Facebook page.
