Lemont fire district seeks voter OK for $46 million bond sale, aims to drop response times

The Lemont Fire Protection District is seeking voter approval to sell $46 million in bonds to relocate two of its four fire stations and renovate two of them, with an eye toward reducing emergency response times.

The referendum is a response to population growth within the district, as well as a shifting population that has driven up response times, said district fire Chief Dan Tasso.

The district covers 26 square miles and responds to calls in Lemont, Lemont Township and portions of Darien, Palos Park and Woodridge. The district’s boundaries also extend into three counties: Cook, DuPage and Will.

For the owner of a home in Cook County with a value of $400,000, the bond issue would mean an extra $185 in property taxes, according to the district. For the owner of a home with the same value in DuPage or Will, the extra tax cost would be $209 a year, according to the district.

“We understand this is a huge ask” of voters, Tasso said.

He said the district has received feedback from residents and answered questions about the need for the improvements.

Tasso said he is encouraged by the response.

“For the most part I’m really excited about this,” he said. “I’m hopeful.”

The district says it often takes firefighters and paramedics eight minutes or more to respond to calls, with the goal to be six minutes or less.

That would be achieved by moving two stations but renovating all four district stations, including making accommodations at each for both male and female firefighters, adding room for storing equipment and updating fitness areas.

The district has 54 sworn personnel, and 14 firefighter/paramedics are on duty each day, Tasso said.

He said proceeds from the bond sale would be used only for construction, and not adding personnel.

Tasso said 85% of the district’s budget comes from property taxes, and the district does not get impact fees from new homes.

The district says on its website that some 700 homes are expected to be built within district boundaries in the next three years.

The district said, since 1990, Lemont’s population has grown more than 200%

“There are subdivisions popping up all over,” Tasso said.

Recent developments in Lemont include Copper Ridge and Equestrian Meadows, and Tasso said at least 400 homes are planned as part of a redevelopment of the former Gleneagles Country Club. That is where Pulte Homes is building ranch duplex homes and two-story homes.

Because the district’s budget is so dependent on property tax revenue, the developments do add to the total value of property within the district, which ultimately helps, Tasso said.

The chief said the district has seen a shift of population toward the south and southwest areas of Lemont.

In advocating for a yes vote on the bond sale, the district said unless two of the stations are moved, response times will increase.

Station 1 is now at 15900 New Ave., in Lemont, and it would be moved to 15783 W. 127th St., Lemont. If voters approve the bond sale, the existing station location would be sold.

Station 3 is at 10801 S. Marmon Drive, Woodridge, and would relocate to 1051 Internationale Parkway in Lemont, according to the district.

Selling that property is much trickier because the firehouse is on donated land, and covenants decree that if it’s sold, the new use must also be a fire station or other public safety use, official said..

The district said should the bond sale be approved, it would look to sell the property, but otherwise it could be converted to a training center.

The proposed new location for Station 3 has a one-story building the district would gut and rehab for use as a firehouse, as well  as adding engine bays. The district said the conversion would cost about $10 million less than starting from scratch.

Station 2 is at 12940 S. Bell Road, which Tasso said is the closest one to the Gleneagles development, and Station 4 is at 11520 S. Walker Road.

The properties for the proposed fire stations were bought by the district a few years ago, realizing land costs would only increase.

“It was a matter of finding land that was available and for the right price,” Tasso said. “We did that to lock it in.”

Officials said in studies of population and response times, it did not see an immediate need for a fifth fire station.

mnolan@southtownstar.com