Scio Twp Issues Bonds to Pay for Second Fire Station

Scio Township announced it will post $13.2 million in bonds to pay for the cost of acquiring, constructing, furnishing and equipping a new fire station to be located on township-owned land on Wagner Road near Liberty.

The township said it posted the bonds on March 12, as it moves forward on this important project that should begin this spring.

In its announcement about the bonds, the township said this was a process in getting here that saw the Board of Trustees and Scio Township Fire Department working to secure the goals outlined by the Fire Services Guidance Committee in their 2022 report, which recommended building a second fire station in a high-population area of the township.

In the township’s announcement, Ryan Yaple, the township’s current treasurer and a working member of the Fire Services Guidance Committee said, “The Fire Services Guidance Committee (FSGC) included residents from both urban and rural areas of the township as well as business leaders, fire staff and township staff. This FSGC reviewed the data and key criteria such as the six-minute response time, 2 in/2 out rule, and number of firefighters that are required by call type to conclude that a second fire station was critical to provide sufficient fire service to the growing Township population.”

Another big reason in getting to this point happened in 2024, when township voters approved the 2.7 mill bond proposal that raised taxes toward helping to pay for a second fire station. From there the township said its next steps were to issue Requests for Proposals, then interview and hire both an architect and a construction manager and then begin bidding the project. 

“Upon receiving bids and having a firm understanding of the actual costs, the board had information needed to issue bonds in an amount sufficient to fund the project,” the township said in its announcement. “It all came together this March when the township earned an AA ‘stable’ rating from S&P Global.”

Citing the recent reduction in interest rates, Scio Township Clerk Jessica Flintoft, a former member of the Fire Services Guidance Committee who oversaw the financial team on the project, said in the announcement that she is confident in quickly gaining the funds sought to begin construction on the project this spring, as planned.  

“I’m really proud of the strategy we employed to make the most of the taxpayer dollars needed to build the new fire station,” Flintoft said. “We sought advice from Patrick McGow of Miller Canfield, who serves as the Township’s bond counsel, financial analysis from Brian Camiller of Plante, Moran, who served as Interim Financial Director, and bond specifications from Bendzinski & Co., and came up with a strategic approach to public funding that is as cost effective as possible.”

The township said millage funds along with interest on funds brought in through the bonds will service the debt as well as pay for the building and equipping the new fire station.

Recognizing the moment and the step in the process, Scio Fire Chief Andrew Houde called this a big help to realizing this important public safety project.

“I am thankful to the Board of Trustees and Township residents for their support for this important public safety project,” Houde said in the announcement. “As we receive the proceeds from this bond sale, we will scrutinize every expense to ensure we are getting the best value for the residents’ tax dollars.  Our goal is to bring the project to completion on time and under budget.”

Photo: A rendering of the new fire station. Photo: Scio Township