The West Manatee Fire Rescue District may be laying the foundation for a future station in Bradenton Beach.
WMFR commissioners voted 4-1 Aug. 19 on a motion to direct staff to prepare a potential $1 million contract for the purchase of property in the city.
Commissioner Larry Jennis voted “no.”
In addition to its administrative headquarters at 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton, the fire district has three stations:
- Station 1 at 407 67th St. W., Bradenton;
- Station 2 at 10350 Cortez Road W., Bradenton;
- Station 3 at 6001 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.
Anna Maria Island’s southernmost city has been without a fire station since the Anna Maria and West Side fire districts merged into WMFR in 2000 and decommissioned the Bradenton Beach Fire Hall at 201 Second St. N.
However, in the wake of the devastation wrought by hurricanes Helene and Milton last year, that might change.
“An opportunity has been presented to us. I can’t go into full detail into where and what it is, but there is a property in Bradenton Beach that was potentially offered to us,” Chief Ben Rigney said to open the Aug. 19 discussion. “So I would like to seek guidance and direction to work with the chairman and legal counsel to potentially bring back a contract not to exceed $1 million for the purchase of a property in Bradenton Beach.”
Commissioner Dana Tindall, who worked for the Bradenton Fire Department before her time with WMFR, said her former department had functions at the old Bradenton Beach Fire Hall and it was “heartbreaking” to see it decommissioned.
She said that, if the district has an opportunity to secure property in the city that could become another station, they could not let it go to waste.
“The potential for it is great,” Tindall said.
Commissioner Billy Burke said Bradenton Beach was an ideal location for a fourth station since heavy island traffic can slow the district’s response to the city from Station 2 and Station 3.
“There are days where we just can’t get there,” Commissioner Derrick Warner agreed.
On the other hand, Jennis questioned the necessity of another island station. He said Station 3 has a low call volume and provides solid response times.
“To take on the expense of buying and renovating and maintaining and insuring and staffing … I think we have to have a pretty clear operational need,” Jennis said. “And, unless I’m missing something, I don’t see that operational need.”
Commissioner Robert Bennett said purchasing such a property may be a bit ahead of the district’s timeline for growth, but another island station would be needed in the future.
He added that a potential $1 million deal would be “a heck of a bargain” compared to the cost of similar property in 5-10 years.
“I would like to move ahead with it because it may not be exactly what we need now … but it’s a good price and it’s a good fit for us down the road,” Bennett said.
Tindall motioned to prepare a contract for the potential purchase. Her motion was seconded and approved.
Budget moves on to 2nd reading
In the meantime, the district’s spending plan for fiscal 2025-26, which begins Oct. 1, is moving forward.
Commissioners held a first reading and public hearing for a $16,683,907 proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year during the Aug. 19 meeting.
The proposed spending plan includes $13,194,092 in total estimated revenues and $3,489,815 for the budgeted use of impact and reserve funds.
On the expenditure side of the spending plan, $11,149,049 was budgeted for personnel expenses, $3,438,000 for capital outlay and $2,096,857 for operating expenses.
The district also included $6,671,953 in total reserve funds for the upcoming fiscal year.
The WMFR commission will hold a second and potentially final public hearing for the proposed budget during its next meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, at the district’s administrative headquarters, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton.