City council ponders consolidation options

NEW FACILITY

Obviously, the current location is no good and beyond repair and is a perfect location for a fire station. We did a contract with an engineering firm to give us a conceptual drawing and cost estimates and pretty pictures.”

Rusty Andrews, FM City Councilman

TRANSPARENCY

We have to be open and honest about what our end game is. Is it to work more efficiently, is it to cost us less money? What is our purpose in consolidation? Is it just the catchword of the day. It isn’t about just going out and buying a building and putting them all under one roof. Then all we’ve done is add another layer of another expense.”

Matt Mohrfeld, Fort Madison Mayor

FORT MADISON – The Fort Madison City Council held a frank conversation about the possibilities around a new public works facilities, and quite possibly restructuring some of those departments.
At Tuesday’s regular City Council meeting, Mayor Matt Mohrfeld put a discussion item on the agenda regarding consolidating the public works departments including streets, parks, and water operations under one department and possibly one facility.
The city has had engineers draw up plans for a new public works facility that would put all the city’s equipment in one place. The public works facility now is located between 21st and 23rd Streets south of Avenue L adjacent to Elmwood cemetery.
Councilman Rusty Andrews said the facilities there are beyond repair, but are a perfect location for a new city fire department.
Designs have been drawn for both the buildings at a combined price tag of $26.5 million. The public works facility was estimated at $14.6 million and the new fire station is estimated at $11.9 million. Both designs were completed in 2023.
“Obviously, the current location is no good and beyond repair and is a perfect location for a fire station. We did a contract with an engineering firm to give us a conceptual drawing and cost estimates and pretty pictures. That was a lot of money to chew off with our current financial situation, so you look at alternatives, and Mark’s done that – I’m not sure what your final end game is and what you’re looking for?” Andrews asked Mohrfeld.
Mayor Matt Mohrfeld said he was looking for transparency in the conversation.
“We have to be open and honest about what our end game is. Is it to work more efficiently, is it to cost us less money? What is our purpose in consolidation? Is it just the catchword of the day. It isn’t about just going out and buying a building and putting them all under one roof. Then all we’ve done is add another layer of another expense,” he replied.
Andrews said the city does have multiple departments doing the same thing and there are inefficiencies.
“That’s status quo on how governments operate.”
City Councilwoman Angela Roller and Councilman Rick Thele said more information is needed before the council can move on consolidating departments and/or facilities.
“We need to know what’s needed. So is it a conversation about buying everything and then it's all on Mark’s (Bousselot, city public works director) shoulders. You can’t just say let’s go do this without knowing what we need,” Roller said.
The proposed building for the public works consolidation was 60,000 square feet.
Mohrfeld compared the city’s situation to wanting an Astin Martin and buying a KIA electric hybrid.
“My point is what I want and what makes sense are two dramatically different things. You sit down with an engineer and say this is what I want,” Mohrfeld said. “But now it’s time we get realistic about what’s the need. What can the budget afford when we do the pro forma on consolidated utilities, maintenance, where will we save, will it be relocated properly, can we repurpose any current city assets – that would make sense.
“We have to build it efficiently, stay within our budget, and afford it moving forward. If we consolidate and it costs us more money, we’ve gone backwards. “
Andrews said 60,000 square feet is a nice number, but quick math showed streets, water, and parks facilities currently total 36,000 square feet under roof.
“Does our current financial situation let us build a great public works facility?” he said.
“Of course not,” Mohrfeld said.
“We don’t have any money, do we?” Councilwoman Donna Amandus added.
Andrews said he’s spoken with city staff and they are excited about the conversation around a new facility, but they understand budget restrictions.
Councilman Rick Thiele said the city needs to get deep into the numbers and see where consolidation of the departments could result in savings to the city.
“You gotta see those numbers to see if it even warrants doing the consolidation.
Bousselot said when he puts all departments under one roof, he would have three backhoes under one roof, which he probably wouldn’t need.
“There would be some jockeying,” Bousselot said.
Mohrfeld said you don’t see any equipment in the private sector or at the schools under roof. They are all held outside.
Councilman Jack Gray said the city staff and Bousselot need to get together and find out what would work and bring that back to the council.
Thele said consolidation could be the worst idea, but they won‘t know until the numbers are hashed out.
The conversation wrapped with an intention to get a group, consisting of city staff and possibly councilmembers, together to investigation the consolidation options further.