Story Tools • • Firm selected for WMFR facilities study West Manatee Fire Rescue District commissioners, meeting June 18, selected Totems Architect, Planning and Design of Sarasota to conduct a study of district needs and design of new facilities. The company was one of four short-listed by the WMFR facilities committee and presented to the board, but was the committee’s No. 1 recommendation. WMFR Chief Andy Price has until July 10 to negotiate a contract with Totems. Some of the goals of updating the WMFR facilities are to get all administration in the same location and have the district meet the long-term needs of the people it serves, Price has said. Funding for the project will come from $210 million in federal stimulus dollars earmarked for fire service facilities. In other WMFR district news, the board in May passed a resolution to add $5 per unit in the district as an assessment. The board agreed that $4 of the increase will be used for capital improvements to facilities, while $1 will go toward the operating budget.