Council votes 4-3 for residential fire sprinkler incentive

By Chantal Wagner

Divided Debate

City council votes 4-3 for residential fire sprinkler incentive in new development

Feb 18, 2020 | 10:20 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – “It’s just a simple business decision that saves us a new fire station,” according to Mayor Ted Clugston.

Meantime, Councillor Robert Dumanowski says, “I think we can get a unanimous vote if it’s not on the backs of taxpayers that $2,500 dollars.”

It was divided reaction around the city council table on Tuesday during the debate of a residential fire sprinkler incentive for new homes in Coulee Ridge.

However, with a 4-3 vote, council voted in favor to offer a flat incentive of $2,500 per home to install residential sprinklers in the new development.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

13h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

19h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

'Compassionate Friends' offer peer support for bereaved in Medicine Hat

Dec 11, 2024

But with that comes a cost for taxpayers.

The city says the creation of a 2020 residential fire sprinkler incentive totals $100-thousand in operating costs.

That will cover the first phase to install the residential fire sprinklers for 40 homes.

Subsidizing the incentive with taxpayer dollars is what caused frustration for councillors.

Dumanowski says, “So to the average citizenry, it’s taking their precious tax dollars in a very financially challenging climate and putting it towards developments that I’ve heard tonight is in tune of a million-dollar home.”

Mayor Clugston says the cost of the subsidy is much less than the cost of building and staffing a new fire station.

“The taxpayer should be happy that we found a solution vs building a new fire station. I cannot stress enough how expensive fire stations are and firefighter,” said Clugston.

It’s a fair and balanced approach according to Medicine Hat’s Fire Chief Brian Stauth and a great way to improve fire protection as cities grow with a minimal amount of cost.

“The subsidization of sprinkler systems isn’t a new and unique thing to the fire industry. It’s done in centres across North America – Swift Current does it,” Stauth said.

The sprinkler systems were a condition for approving the development of Coulee Ridge – because the neighbourhood will be outside of the guidelines for fire response by 2 minutes and 10 seconds.

Clugston says he doesn’t want developers to go elsewhere and doesn’t want a loss of tax revenue for the city.

He adds that “The only 20 homes built in the city last year is an absolute disaster. I want development within the community so at least we can capture the tax base to help pay for some of these facilities.”

Clugston adds half of the taxpayer dollars go towards fire and police services and installing sprinkler systems in new developments can delay a 4th fire station for many years.

According to the city, the construction of a new fire station is approximately $9-million and annual operating costs of $3-million.

Councillors Dumanowski, Samraj, and McIntosh voted against the recommendation. Councillors Hirsch and Turnbull were not in attendance at the meeting.