Lake Zurich seeks public input as officials consider $20.3 million fire station referendum

Lake Zurich will hold three upcoming open houses at Fire Station 1 as village officials consider putting a tax-hike referendum on the November ballot to fund a new firehouse

The events are part of an information campaign that includes a video on the village website with details about the 46-year old Fire Station 1 at 321 S. Buesching Road and officials’ explanation of why it no longer meets modern emergency service needs.

The village also is assessing support for the measure via a public opinion survey mailed to about 6,600 households.

Village leaders are considering asking voter approval to borrow $20.3 million by issuing bonds to build a new fire station. Owners of a home valued at $450,000 would pay $195 more annually as the bond are repaid over 20 years, according to information shared with residents.

The open houses are from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 13; 9 a.m. To noon, Saturday, July 18; and, 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 22.

Station 1 was built in 1980 when the village was much smaller and operating on a part-time, paid-on-call firefighting model, Fire Chief David Pilgard says in the video.

“Modern fire stations are designed much differently than they were decades ago,” he says.

Among the deficiencies, according to the department, are a lack of adequate space for equipment storage and training; the fire prevention bureau is at a separate location; and the current station doesn't allow for decontamination zones or isolated living quarters.

Firefighters are at 9% higher cancer rate than the general population and in some cases 50%, Deputy Chief Mike Rutkowski explains in the video.

“When we respond to structure fires, the smoke contains chemicals and carcinogens that are harmful to our firefighters,” he said.

In 2024, property at the northwest corner of Route 22 and Old Rand Road was identified as a desirable location for a new station. The village bought the land, considered a gateway to town, last fall for $2.1 million.

Mayor Tom Poynton said the village has made repairs and improvements over the last 40 years to extend the station’s life but it can’t meet modern demands and a new one is “critically needed.”

In response to a social media post suggesting the existing building could be updated by reducing overtime costs, the village said renovating the current facility wouldn’t resolve numerous issues.

Assistant Village Manager Michael Duebner said there is a nationwide shortage of firefighter/paramedics. Last year, the village was short seven full-time positions most of the year, he said, which increases the overtime budget while decreasing the amount spent on salaries.