TAMPA, Florida — Tampa City Council decided to delay bonding $115 million of tax dollars which would help improve Tampa Fire Rescue.
Fire officials said these improvements would keep the community safe. A majority of the council expressed they were all for bonding this money, but a couple of members expressed logistical concerns. Some council members said when it comes to bonding money, they want a plan in place before that happens.
This is why the decision to delay to the vote on whether to bond $115 million for Tampa Fire Rescue was pushed back until January.
The money would be used to upgrade three fire stations, a fleet management facility and fund a new fire station — something firefighters said is long overdue.
"We’ve been challenged with difficult living conditions, unhealthy conditions and fire stations that have been outgrown," said the President of Tampa Firefighters Local 754, Nick Stocco.
For example, Tampa Fire Station No. 6 was built in 1914. That fire station would see upgrades if the $115 million is approved by city officials.
"This money will allow the city to fund additional needs to those stations that have been outgrown," Stocco added.
Tampa Fire Stations No. 9 and No. 10 would also be upgraded with the money if approved. A fleet management facility would be upgraded as well. Behind these efforts was Tampa Councilman Luis Viera. He worked relentlessly for months to push the funding forward.
"We bonded for parks, we bonded for new buildings, so why don’t we bond for Tampa Fire Rescue?" Viera said.
The money would also fund a new fire station in North Tampa. This is where some council members expressed concern with voting on the money during Thursday's meeting. Some realized there was no location set for this fire station and without a plan in place, they wanted to circle back on the vote in January.
"This is going to go to support a new fire station in North Tampa. An area that is growing remarkably like so much of Tampa," Viera said.
For now, firefighters and the Tampa fire chief are happy with the possibility of the funding. They just hope it gets approved in January.
"This is a great start and I think it will help us tremendously," Stocco added.
In January, the council will vote on the funding and discuss construction plans for the new fire station.