Council reviews ballot language for up to $8 million GO bond for new emergency services building

Staff presented proposed ballot language for a general obligation bond referendum to be placed on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot seeking authority to issue up to $8 million for constructing, furnishing and equipping a new facility.

The draft ballot language read, in part, "Shall the city of Le Mars, in Plymouth County, state of Iowa, enter into a loan agreement and issue general obligation bonds in the amount not exceeding $8 million for the purpose of ... constructing, furnishing, and equipping a municipal firehouse." Staff and council discussed changing the phrase "municipal firehouse" to "municipal emergency services building" to reflect the broader functions performed there — including fire, ambulance/EMS, confined-space and water rescue, inspections, billing and public training. Staff recounted that previous feedback suggested voters perceived the prior language as describing only a small station rather than a multi-function facility.

Council discussed keeping fire station one in operation and acknowledged that the revised language and explanatory materials should clarify the building’s full range of emergency services. Staff indicated Dorsey and Whitney prepared the ballot language and that wording in the resolution and related documents would be updated accordingly.