Cortland leaders weigh scaled-back firehouse plan as federal funds remain uncertain

Council members and residents discussed plans for a proposed Safety Service Complex and possible alternatives focused on a new fire department during the Oct. 2 Cortland City Council meeting. Resident Joe Chula asked whether grant funds and local levies would cover construction and whether the existing fire station could be modified or a new site found.

The council said $2.5 million in SCIF funds has been identified, about $4.5 million is listed as pending in the 2026 federal budget, and roughly $500,000 in local capital-improvement-levy savings has been identified as available. Council members cautioned that federal funds are not guaranteed and said contingency planning is underway.

“We're making contingency plans to move forward with maybe a fire department only instead of a service complex,” one council member said, describing a possible downscaled project that would prioritize the firehouse and training facilities. Council members noted the preexisting $12 million plan would require different financing and that a smaller project will need a new set of architectural drawings.

Council members discussed potential sites and said the property of the current elementary school had been discussed as a possible option. Staff noted some of the previously allocated capital funds were used for preliminary drawings and that roughly $1.7 million remains encumbered in design contracts, with about $200,000 still committed to architecture services.

The council also described how the city combines capital-levy funds, grant dollars and general operating money to buy large equipment. “Every time you see an engine rolling down the street, that's a brand new engine,” a council member said, noting a new engine costs about $1 million.

No formal vote on project scope or site was taken at the meeting. Council members said decisions will continue in committee meetings and that the city has time to encumber some grant funds before June.