Roughly 100 people attended last night’s (October 17) Community Conversation and Firefighter Chili Dinner put on by The City of Kingfisher Commissioners. The night started with some small talk, a quick analysis of the proposed station’s blueprint designs, and firefighters serving citizens. After the majority were served, City Manager Jim Thomas started the discussion. Jim expressed the need for the new fire station and gave a brief overview of what would be talked about throughout the night. He then introduced Ray Holliday with Brown Reynolds Watford Architects, with whom he has been working closely, as well as Chief Ryan Gibson and Former Chief Tony Stewart, on creating and perfecting this new station. Ray started by talking a bit about the architect company and gave a breakdown of the economy and the increase in construction costs and material costs. Ashton Holliday showed previous projects they have designed to show they know what they’re doing. She then began explaining the renderings, inside and out for the new station, stating the form and function of every room, with Chief Gibson giving more insight later on. To end their presentation they listed ways to potentially save money. The base scheme is what was budgeted at the time, which didn’t include some of the necessary features the station would need to be functional, long-lasting, and safe. The better scheme includes the more durable options at a commercial grade level while including all necessary systems needed. The microphone was then turned back over to Mr. Thomas, who presented the numbers. The base scheme budget would be a price of around 12.9 million dollars in total meaning land (which has already been purchased), building, interest, and architectural fees. In terms of square footage, it would be $500 per square foot. When originally deciding to build this new station in 2021 the City Manager, Mayor, and Commissioners ran the numbers and budgeted $8 million for the build, thinking it would be enough. That was several years ago, and the economy has since changed. The better scheme would be an approximate $13.5 million in total, $580 a square foot. A crowd participant made the point that there are local entities that make cabinets or deal with countertops that could be used to save money. There have been many discussions about how to save and where to save, but the one that just might work is that of extending the current sales tax. The sales tax started on July 1st, 2021, and will end on June 30th of 2031. This means that every time something is purchased in Kingfisher city limits, half of a cent goes back to the city for the new fire station, street improvements, and capital improvement projects. If the general public decides to go this route, it will be extended ten more years until 2041. Most in attendance were in support and adamant about getting our firefighters what they needed. The Kingfisher Fire Department is the only full-service fire station in the county and aids the other fire stations however they can. They also bring in an additional $500,000 a year for going out on calls of all kinds. For any and all Kingfisher taxpayers who were unable to attend this community conversation, the City Commissioner, Manager, Mayor, current and former Fire Chiefs, as well as all the firefighters, ask that you consider extending this tax. The choice is ultimately yours. Have the firefighters’ backs like they have yours!
