Cottonwood Fire Station & Training Facility

Cottonwood Fire Station & Training Facility

History of the project:

In 1999 trustees of the Sourdough Fire District Board began a District Needs Assessment. It was found that residents in the south end of SFD district were in danger of losing their fire insurance savings due to their distance from the South Third station. We made several efforts to obtain land in this area for the construction of a new station. For example, we sought donations from landowners and sent a proposal to the county to carve a five-acre site out of Nash Park. These efforts were unsuccessful.

We learned that Rae fire department had long owned an undeveloped parcel of land south of Anderson School on Cottonwood Road. With the Rae fire department board we began exploring options to see if we could develop a plan to provide coverage to residents in the south end of our district. Following advice of counsel, we took steps to form a cooperative relationship under an Interlocal Agreement. On December 11, 2000 SFD trustees entered into a cooperative Interlocal Agreement with Rae fire department.

After the failure of the first SFD mill levy (in May of 2000 for 48.6 mills) the Sourdough Board passed Resolution 2001-1 calling for a mill levy election for 38 mills. The 38 mills would not generate enough funds for a comprehensive reconstruction of the South Third station but would put a "band-aid" on the station to make it functional for a few more years. During many public meetings and neighborhood gatherings the trustees presented a proposed improvement plan, and the details were explained to voters.

In order to keep the Sourdough station functional, and preserve insurance savings to residents, we promised to make essential upgrades to it, e.g., replacing the septic system and the doors to the north bay as well as numerous minor repairs. In addition, we outlined our intent to protect our south end residents. These plans were described in numerous public presentations and in material sent to residents prior to the election. For example a flyer titled “Sourdough Fire Department Draft Improvement Proposal” noted we would “…build a training facility near Anderson School (sharing costs 50/50 with Rae Fire District). This was repeated in Item 3 of the mill levy resolution that stated “the District needs to build a shared training facility, where none exists, … and house an additional fire truck to serve the growing district needs”. The official mill levy ballot stated monies generated by the levy would be used to support “… the essential services provided by the district”.

The decision to expand the training facility and equipment bays into what is now Cottonwood Station evolved during joint Rae-Sourdough committee meetings in the months after the election. The evolution of this project was discussed during properly noticed public meetings (e.g., under agendas items titled “action plan” and “improvement project”) and is reflected in Board minutes. (For example, the November 19, 2001 minutes report, “The joint Rae-Sourdough Station and training facility design was presented. Expansion in size (to 3,600 ft 2) and living quarters are now possible due to lower interest rates and growth income. SFD continues to work with Rae Fire to ensure equitability of costs.”)

The Cottonwood Station project is discussed in every fire chief’s report and in Board Minutes from 2001 through 2005. They describe in detail not only improvements made to the Sourdough station, but also contain an accounting of Sourdough’s financial contribution to the Cottonwood station. (See for example the minutes and related documents from the November 24, 2003, January 26, 2004, February 16, 2004, March 22, 2004, and April 18, 2004 board meetings. These documents have been sent to the self-described “Study Group”). 

In sum, the decision to jointly build the Cottonwood Station with Rae Fire District was made by the trustees in response to developing facts, circumstances, and opportunities. We allocated resources in a manner that we thought was in the best interest of district residents, and in complete compliance with the law. This is what we are elected to do. This project has (and continues to) provide cost savings to Sourdough taxpayers. For example, the fire insurance rating (also called the ISO) for residents of Sourdough Fire District went from a “9” to a “4”. This drastic improvement in rating resulted in a significant savings in fire insurance for most residents of Sourdough Fire District. This saving would not have been possible without the cooperative effort with Rae Fire Service Area to construct the jointly owned and operated Cottonwood Fire Station and training center.

About the Sourdough Fire South 3rd Station:

The current station was built by firefighters, farmers and ranchers 35 years ago with lumber from a building torn down on the MSU campus.

The Sourdough Fire District Board has invested in design work by a professional design team and architects in fire station construction. Construction standards are established by the State Building Code. The Cottonwood Fire Station is “Spartan” and serves as the basis for the design for the future station on South 3rd. The Cottonwood Fire Station can be viewed at 10200 Cottonwood Road. To schedule a tour, please phone 406-587-8887.