Council asks staff for data before advancing plan for a second fire station

In the wake of a large wildfire response and ongoing mutual-aid operations, Council Member Jessica asked the City Council on Wednesday to pause on any near-term decisions about building a second fire station until staff can present detailed data on response times, staffing and costs.

Jessica said she reviewed the 2024 public-safety report and found no clear data-driven justification for an immediate new station and requested information on best practices, staffing models, equipment needs, recurring operating costs, bonding options and interlocal support. "I'm trying to figure out what data are we using to make a decision?" she said.

City staff agreed to schedule a meeting with the fire chiefs and other relevant staff, including Bryce Murphy, to assemble the requested metrics and to bring the information back to the full council as a discussion item at a future meeting. The council did not take a formal vote on capital plans at Wednesday's meeting; members said they consider public safety a high priority but want transparent, data-driven analysis before committing to new recurring expenditures or bonding.