Fire-truck payment money plugs a $216,000 gap in temporary-station rent

Sandy Springs City Council voted Nov. 3 to redirect $216,000 originally budgeted for fire-apparatus payments to rent for Temporary Fire Station No. 1, according to the city’s unsigned minutes.⁠[1][2]

The money was available because the first payment for two fire apparatus is not due until FY2028, Interim Fire Chief Jesse Bernard told council. Meanwhile, the adopted FY2027 budget omitted the temporary station’s first year of rent, according to staff’s rent memo.⁠[1][3]

The unanimously approved reallocation splits $534,500 between the $216,000 rent expense and $318,500 for contingency. Staff said the change would not increase the overall FY2027 budget.⁠[1][3]

The temporary facility at 8615 Roswell Road is intended to keep emergency services operating while the existing station at 1425 Spalding Drive in Sandy Springs, Georgia, is demolished and replaced. Facilities staff say the temporary site must be ready for occupancy before demolition begins.⁠[3]

Council also unanimously approved a separate capital-budget amendment transferring $300,000 from capital contingency to the build-out. Facilities director Dave Wells reported $561,350 in construction costs including an owner’s contingency, against $262,401.50 already available. The transfer fills that funding gap.⁠[1]

Our earlier report confirmed the separate construction award of up to $515,000 to F.H. Paschen, S.N. Nielsen & Associates but left the two budget votes unverified. The signed award resolution authorizes contract execution pending approval by the city attorney and chief financial officer.⁠[1][4]

Council also sought to keep construction and demolition parking off nearby neighborhood streets. Wells said the contractor would be required to provide appropriate off-site parking.⁠[1]

The budget votes appear in two unsigned versions of the city’s minutes—one with a blank approval date and one listing Nov. 17. Formal approval of the minutes has not been verified, nor have execution of the construction contract or the start of work.⁠[1][2][4]