FIRE STATION #3
Ballot Question 5
What is it?
To put it simply:
As Maumelle continues to experience growth, City leadership has been planning for the long-term expansion of fire protection services to ensure response times and coverage remain effective across all areas of the community. Discussions have identified the need for a third fire station to serve developing areas near White Oak Crossing and to support balanced fire coverage citywide.
Beginning in 2025, City Council repeatedly discussed Fire Station #3 as part of broader capital improvement and bond planning conversations. While the station is not required in the immediate term, leadership consistently emphasized that it must be included in any bond issuance to allow the City to plan responsibly for future growth rather than respond after service levels are strained. Including the project now allows the City to account for construction timelines, long-range funding availability, and future operational needs.
Current estimates place the cost of Fire Station #3 in the range of $5–7 million, with updated projections reflecting anticipated construction costs in future years. Under the proposed bond structure, funding for this project would become available later in the bond timeline, aligning construction with projected growth and service demand. It is also recognized that, once constructed, the station would require staffing and ongoing operational funding, which is not covered by bond proceeds and will require advance planning.
The proposed bond allows the City to take a measured, forward-looking approach to public safety, ensuring that fire protection infrastructure keeps pace with growth while providing transparency about both construction and long-term operational considerations.
Planning Milestones
Long-Range Growth Planning City leadership has identified the White Oak Crossing area as a future growth corridor and has been planning for additional fire protection capacity to serve that area as development continues.
2025: Project Evaluated for Bond Planning Throughout 2025, City Council discussed Fire Station #3 as part of broader capital improvement and bond planning efforts. While the station is not immediately required, leadership emphasized that it should be included in a bond to allow for responsible long-term planning.
Future Construction Timeline Under the proposed bond structure, funding for Fire Station #3 would become available later in the bond term, aligning construction with projected growth and service demand rather than immediate need.
Operational Planning City leadership has also acknowledged that Fire Station #3 would require staffing and ongoing operating funds once constructed. These costs are not covered by bond proceeds and will be planned through future budget processes.
What will it look like on my ballot?
As Maumelle grows, City leadership is planning ahead for a third fire station to maintain effective fire protection and response times, particularly in developing areas near White Oak Crossing. Including Fire Station #3 in the proposed bond allows the City to responsibly plan and fund construction in line with future growth while transparently addressing long-term operational needs.
Important Reminder- Ballot question 1 regarding refunding is the most crucial item on the ballot. If the refunding question is NOT approved, then none of the projects will be able to proceed. Even if the individual ballot question is approved by voters, it cannot be funded, and will not advance.
QUESTION 5:
FOR or AGAINST an issue of bonds of the City of Maumelle, Arkansas in the maximum principal amount of $8,450,000 which, together with other available moneys, for the purposes of financing all or a portion of the costs of the design, engineering, construction, acquisition, equipping and improvements for the design, engineering, construction, acquisition, and equipping of capital improvements for the City’s fire department facilities including, but not limited to, a new fire substation, furniture, fixtures, and related facilities and equipment of all types to be located in the White Oak Crossing area of Maumelle, Arkansas, and to pay the costs of issuing the bonds and in order to pay the bonds, the levy and pledge of a one-half of one percent (0.50%) local sales and use tax within the City.
What does this mean?
