In a two step process before asking voters to support a $120 million bond, the Richmond City Council agreed to determine the “necessity” for submission of a General Obligation Bond Measure for Fire Station Improvements.
The council approved the resolution in a 7-0 vote Tuesday which is the next step before final approval that will send a bond measure to the November 2026 ballot. The debt service on the bonds would be repaid from an ad valorem property tax approved by the voters and would not be paid from the City’s General Fund — $22.15 per $100k (for a $500k home, the tax would be $110.75 annually). It should be noted, Richmond was originally looking at $40 per $100k of assessed value.
The item will return on July 28 for a second reading of the ordinance and adoption. No bonds will be issued until voter approval in November—repaid by voter-approved property tax, no the city general fund.
Chief Aaron Osorio provided a summary of the facilities and the issues they face by highlighting key deficiencies – uneven floors, cracked walls in floors, fire sprinkler cracks, doors do not fully open or close, blocks under beds due to uneven floors, to even structural hardening and much wear and tear.
He also highlighted Fire Station 66 was 83 years old and does not meet seismic standards and they have a portable bathroom trailer in the parking lot for 13-years along with many other issues. Meanwhile, Station 67 is 82 years old (historically protected) which limits construction options – does not meet seismic standards and outdated bathrooms and locker rooms, ongoing water intrusion issues.
- Station 63 – $30 million (foundation repair & grading)
- Station 66 – $30.4 million (station replacement)
- Station 67 – $38 million (station replacement)
- Station 62 – $400k
- Station 68 – $500k
- Training Tower – $3.1 million
According to the fire department, many of the fire facilities have exceeded their intended useful life and require significant investment to address deferred maintenance, replace deteriorating buildings, improve operations and enhance the ability to respond to emergencies.
Vice Mayor Doria Robinson called it long coming.
“I visited these stations in my first term and just saw the state that our firefighters are working in. It was kind of unbelievable. I really think we need to take steps to remedy this issue,” said Robinson.
Councilmember Sue Wilson questioned the tax rates and the range but also the action tonight they were simply determining if it was a “necessity” – two actions.
It was shared the $22.15 per $100k was an average and the thing to consider was the total $120 bond authorization will not change.
“It’s patently obvious that there is a necessity to do these repairs and replacements on the fire station,” said Wilson but also noted Richmond’s CIP list is over a billion dollars.
Emily Combs, Finance Director, shared the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) is $1.1 billion and tonight they were asking to identify a need of just 10% — due to the urgency.
Councilmember Claudia Jimenez asked how they came down from $40 to the $22.15.
Staff shared the numbers were conservative in the beginning and have refined the process—mostly, were they going after the $120 million at once or over time. All of it contributed to a most “optimized” structuring to allow tax rate to be brought down and achieve the projects.
“Why now, why the fire stations instead of other capital improvements?” asked Jimenez.
“I am not going to say I am more important that somebody else, there are need all around the city, but we are relied upon in the worst days of people s lives and the disasters and I think the concern is can we be resilient if something happens. If we have a big earthquake, we have a wildfire, we have to be that constant there that is available. Under our current facilities, we can’t make that promise right now,” said Chief Osorio. “I think this is long overdue… there are living conditions going on in these stations that we really shouldn’t be subjecting our people to.”
Councilmember Cesar Zepeda highlighted those in the room will help build the fire stations which brings local jobs but also reminded the council he tried to push this forward two years ago when rates were much lower, so they needed to move this forward quickly as rates will go higher.
“There is urgency,” explained Zepeda. “I joke but didn’t joke because one of those fire stations I visited they motioned the last thing we need our fire stations is to call 9-1-1 to help them get out. So this is urgent so we want to pass it.”
Zepeda also shared if there is a new president and government in Washington, the Congressman said he would help get funding so that they would not have to do a bond for the full $120 million.
Mayor Eduardo Martinez said Richmond is in “earthquake country” and some of the buildings are not seismically prepared and called it the upmost need. He said this was part of the earthquake safety plan and much of it is already in place.
The council voted 7-0 in favor. For the bond measure to pass with voter approval, it needs 2/3 support.
- Staff Report — click here
- Watch the meeting — click here
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