The Audubon City Council has narrowed their options down to two on how to proceed with funding for the Audubon Fire Department’s new station. For the last several years, the community has been fundraising for the $2.1 million, but the city will need to finance through the project through General Obligation bonds. Option A is for the city to bond the full $2.1 million for the fire station and leave the current station vacant after the move. Option B would be to bond for approximately $3.75 million, which would cover the fire station expenses and leave about $1.6 million to move city hall to where the station currently sits. Clerk, Joe Foran, says officials will be exploring these options further over the next two months.
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If they council were to decide on Option A, they could begin moving forward rather quickly. Option B would take longer while the council prepares design options. Foran says there are some challenges with building a new structure at the current station’s location.
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Foran adds Option B is an attractive option because it would consolidate nearly all of the city’s services into a single area.
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Regardless of which option the council chooses, the issue be decided by voters. Both options require a public referendum and would need at least 60 percent to pass. The earliest it could be on the ballot would be in November, but that is only if the council decides on Option A. Foran says it is more likely that the referendum would be held sometime in spring 2022 if not later.