St. Cloud Fire Station Referendum Aims to Cut Response Times in Half for $9 a Month

(KNSI) – St. Cloud officials are releasing the numbers for how much a new fire station could cost taxpayers as they encourage voters to support its construction.

Residents are being asked to approve a referendum question in November to authorize the use of property tax dollars to build a $43.5 million fire station and training center off Highway 15 near 33rd Street South. Experts say the building would reduce response times in southwest St. Cloud from eight to four minutes. The referendum covers all capital expenses, such as the building, the grounds, the training facility, and the trucks. Operating costs are slated to be covered by the general fund.

The median value of a home in St. Cloud is $234,900 and would cost the owner $9 a month. St. Cloud Fire Chief Matt Love feels it’s a good deal. “That gives folks an idea of exactly how this impacts me. Is it worth it, the $9 a month, and of course it is. I mean, most people would say for what this package is and to get people’s response times cut in half in that area is critical.”

That part of town is home to St. Cloud Tech High School, Athlos Acadamy, Stride Acadamy and several new housing developments. Love says the building boom in that area is a major factor in a big jump in emergency calls. “So as our population goes up, we’re scheduled to go over 10,000 calls this year in 2024 in St Cloud. And so when that happens, that’s about a 32% increase in just the last four years. A lot of that is population density.”

If approved, homes with improved response times could see a slight reduction in their homeowners insurance. Not only does the department respond to fires, but it also assists on most medical calls, rescue operations and provides the hazardous materials response team for 11 counties.

If voters approve the the ballot question in November, the city would start its design work in 2025, receive the money in 2026 and start building. The station should be fully operational in 2027.

For more on what a new fire station could mean for St. Cloud, click here.

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