June 16, 2025 – West Bend, WI – The City of West Bend is moving forward with a plan to finance a new Fire Station No. 1, bonding $24.7 million for construction. With questions circulating about the project’s true cost, taxpayer impact, and long-term implications, we spoke with West Bend Fire Chief Les Norin for a comprehensive Q&A.
It was three years ago in 2022 when the City of West Bend, WI started looking for a new 3-acre lot for a new Fire Station No. 1. Fast forward to 2025 and now the city has secured a 12-acre lot with its sights set on a new 44,000-square-foot facility, including a separate $1.1 million training tower. The initial cost in December 2024 was touted at $24 million but during Monday’s meeting that total has grown to $24.7 million for the facility, plus $2.2 million for the 12-acre parcel and the engineering design fee is $1.44 million.
Q: We’ve heard both $24.7 million and $30 million as the cost. Which is it?
Chief Norin: The city is planning to bond $24.7 million for the project. That number reflects the total construction cost and is what’s been published in city materials. There is no separate $30 million figure in play.
Q: What’s the tax impact for residents?
Chief Norin: The estimated impact is $78 per year for a home assessed at approximately $330,000, based on figures pulled from sources like Zillow. The city’s financial advisor, Ehlers, will go over the exact details at the council meeting.
Q: For homes assessed at other values, how much per $1,000 of value will this cost taxpayers?
Chief Norin: That exact calculation hasn’t been shared yet, but the official figure should be confirmed at the public meeting by Ehlers.
Q: Why wasn’t this project put to a referendum?
Chief Norin: A referendum is only required when borrowing exceeds the city’s legal capacity. This project falls within the city’s borrowing limits, so a referendum wasn’t mandated.
Q: Does this borrowing go outside the state revenue cap?
Chief Norin: No. This is a capital expenditure, not an operational one, so it’s not subject to the same revenue caps that apply to operational budgets.
Q: Towns outside West Bend also receive fire and EMS services. Will they help pay for this?
Chief Norin: No. Only City of West Bend taxpayers are impacted. Contracted towns—like Town of West Bend, Barton, Kewaskum, Farmington, and Wayne—are not contributing to this capital project. The need for the new station was determined regardless of those contracts.
Q: This project has been discussed for a few years. Did the city start saving for it?
Chief Norin: No. The city has always planned to bond for the new station. That’s the common approach used for large capital projects in West Bend.
Q: Will this expense show up separately on tax bills?
Chief Norin: That’s a question for the city finance department. It’s unclear whether it will appear as a line item or be rolled into the general levy.
Q: A new city administrator, Jesse Thyes was selected June 12, 2025. Why not wait for him to start the job before approving such a large project?
Chief Norin: Timing is key. Delaying would risk another winter with a failing HVAC system. That system is outdated, no longer supported, and costly to maintain. Construction needs to begin this year.
Q: What’s the plan for the old station downtown? Will it be sold?
Chief Norin: That hasn’t been decided yet. There’s been some interest, but future use will likely align with the city’s downtown master plan.
Q: Will the new location reduce response time to older areas of town?
Chief Norin: The new site increases our 4-minute response coverage from 90% to 94% of city residences. Downtown remains adequately covered, being near the overlap of Stations 1, 2, and 3.
Q: Were grants considered to reduce costs?
Chief Norin: Yes, but there are very few grants available for building fire stations. We’ve had success with grants for equipment and staffing, but not for facilities.
Q: Will the $24.7 million include all building features—kitchen, fitness area, etc.?
Chief Norin: Yes. That figure includes all finishes and equipment, including functional areas like kitchens, training rooms, and the fitness center.
Q: Will anything be reused from the current building?
Chief Norin: Possibly, but much of our equipment is hand-me-downs from places like the YMCA and library. Many items are near the end of their usable life.
Q: Were any features or costs cut from the project to save money?
Chief Norin: We’ve been cost-conscious throughout planning. The building was designed based on a needs analysis, not wants. Trade-offs were made to stay within a realistic budget.
Q: Were there any items in this planning that somebody said, Nah, that’s just a little bit too much?
Chief Norin: Yes, we’ve looked at different ways to try to cut cost here and there through the planning. I would say a lot of the things have tradeoffs, as far as you know, service, life and dependability, operational issues. I do believe we’ve tried to be as cost cognizant as we can throughout the planning process.
Q: So, what were some of the things that were scratched?
Chief Norin: Well, those are conversations and questions we’re probably going to present tonight. I don’t know that there was anything particular that was scratched, but,
you know, we did look at potentially doing an alternate road or whatnot. But, you know, and that’s not part of this. I don’t really have anything in particular that was per se, scratch.
Q: Is this a drive-through building? And will it include a training facility?
Chief Norin: Yes to both. The training facility is included in the $24.7 million budget.
In December 2022 taxpayers in Fond du Lac, Dodge, Green Lake and Washington Counties approved a $55 million referendum for Moraine Park Technical College which included $9.3 million for a shared fire training facility in Dodge County. The training facility is centrally located in Horicon, however Norin said West Bend, Wi will still build its own.
The MPTC referendum is currently on the books and taxpayers in West Bend are paying an extra $21 per $100,000 of property value annually through about 2042.
Q: Why build a training facility when Moraine Park already has one?
Chief Norin: Moraine Park’s facility is in Horicon, 45 minutes away. Training there would require overtime pay and extra equipment use. Our own facility meets ISO requirements and ensures accessibility for regular use.
Q: What’s the cost of the training facility portion?
Chief Norin: Around $1.2 million, included in the total project cost.
Q: What is ISO and why does it matter?
Chief Norin: ISO (Insurance Services Office) rates the quality of fire protection. Better ISO ratings lead to lower insurance premiums for residents and businesses.
Q: Will the fire station construction impact next year’s operating budget?
Chief Norin: Not significantly. We’re reviewing operating expenses, but there’s no immediate major increase aside from normal cost-of-living adjustments, which will be between 3.5% to 4.5% to 5%
The $24.7 million price tag comes on the heels of a 64% sewer and water rate increase in the City of West Bend, a gas and electric increase from We Energies, and the passage of a $165 million referendum in the West Bend School District.
Q: Can residents speak at tonight’s meeting? Will there be a public hearing?
Chief Norin: Tonight is a presentation, not a hearing. The vote is scheduled for July 7. Residents are encouraged to attend and contact their aldermen with feedback. A formal public hearing is not required for capital projects like this.
Q: How many firms bid on the project?
Chief Norin: Around 6 to 8 firms submitted proposals. We interviewed three and selected SEH (Short Elliott Hendrickson) for architecture and C.D. Smith as the construction manager.
Q: What’s the square footage of the new building vs. the current one?
Chief Norin: New building: 44,000 sq. ft.
Current station: around 26,000 sq. ft.
Q: Was naming rights considered to offset costs?
Chief Norin: We’re open to it, but nothing has been finalized. Any alternative funding options are being explored.
Q: Would you categorize the building as “good,” “better,” or “best”?
Chief Norin: I’d call it “better.” We’re using materials that balance cost and durability, aiming for a 70-year lifespan.
Q: What’s the long-term maintenance plan?
Chief Norin: The city maintains equipment well. The HVAC system lasted nearly 60 years, which is exceptional. We’ll continue to plan for future maintenance as part of our long-term capital planning.
Q: Was the $2.2 million land purchase part of the $24.7 million?
Chief Norin: No. That cost was separately allocated from the city’s fund balance.
Editor’s Note:
Residents are encouraged to attend the July 7 Common Council meeting and contact their alderman with feedback on the proposed fire station project.
On a history note – The original article below published December 18, 2024. The price at the time for a new 40,000-square-foot West Bend Fire Station No. 1 was $24 million, plus $2.2 million for the 12-acre parcel. According to the fire chief in 2024 the engineering design fee was $1.44 million. We’re looking for an updated design fee total as the chief indicated that number could have been misrepresented.
As of Monday, June 16, 2025, the cost of the new facility was now $24.7 million plus $2.2 million for the 12-acre parcel.
Below is the discussion history regarding the proposed new Fire Station No. 1.
West Bend, Wi – The total cost for a new 40,000-square-foot West Bend Fire Station No. 1 so far is $24 million proposal for the facility, plus $2.2 million for the 12-acre parcel. According to the fire chief the engineering design fee is $1.44 million.
“That’s the contract for this designer; it’s not a set price, yet,” said chief Les Norin. “It’s typically 6 percent of the forecasted construction price. So, my understanding is that could fluctuate.”
Questioned how it was determined West Bend, Wi needed a 40,000-square-foot building, Norin said, “We’ve done some preliminarily work looking for needs assessments and stuff for the long term and that’s what our initial studies have shown.”
Trevor Frank, senior architect with the design firm Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc., characterized West Bend’s facility size as an “anomaly.”
Dist. 1 alderman John Butschlick addressed the public’s input about why a facility characterized as a “Taj Mahal” was needed.
Often referenced in the discussion Monday night was the comparison to the new fire station in Watertown, WI. Details show that station sits on 7.6-acres and the cost is between $11 million and $13 million.
According to chief Norin, the new station would better accommodate additional personnel and equipment.
“We’ve added 18 positions in the last few years,” said Norin. “Our current facility simply doesn’t have enough living space, training space, or the proper design to support operations as they are today.”
Fire department officials are hopeful construction will begin soon, with the goal of moving into the new facility by the fall of 2026, although timelines could shift depending on the construction process.
Norin said the new station will include seven pull-through apparatus bays to reduce the risk of accidents during emergency responses, and improved HVAC systems.
Looking forward, officials are also considering a training facility on the same parcel of land, though it would involve separate fundraising efforts in the future. “This station is about addressing our immediate needs,” Norin said. “We’ll tackle the next priorities as we continue to grow and evolve as a department.”
December 16, 2024 – West Bend, Wi – The city of West Bend, WI, is looking at construction of a new Fire Station No. 1 at 2151 W. Washington Street in 2025. The cost is $24 million for a 40,000-square-foot facility. According to the fire chief, that cost does not include the price for the 12-acre parcel which sold for $2.2 million.
Captain Kenny Asselin, who will be retiring January 3, 2025, said more space is needed because of the growth of the city, increased staffing, larger training room, sleeping and office space.
Asselin said Station No. 1 will also need more apparatus space since West Bend FD will be taking over Kewaskum ambulance service.
While Moraine Park Technical College did have a referendum approved for a centralized training center, it is likely West Bend will have its own training facility. That is not included in the $24 million total.
There is still the question on how the city plans to pay for the structure. One elected official confirmed no money has been tucked away for the project.
The $24 million price tag comes on the heels of a 64% sewer and water rate increase in the City of West Bend, a gas and electric increase from We Energies, and the passage of a $165 million referendum in the West Bend School District.
More details on the proposal are listed below including the $1.4 million in engineering costs.
In 2022 the Village of Jackson built a new Fire Department, Police Department, Village Hall and the total cost for the project was about $11.7 million.
Village of Kewaskum is building a new 21,000 square foot Village Hall to the tune of about $10 million.
The West Bend common council will discuss the issue during its Monday, December 16, 2024 meeting. Start time is 6:25 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall, 1115 S. Main Street. The meeting is open to the public.
June 17, 2024 – West Bend, Wi – The West Bend Common Council will move into closed session Monday, June 17, 2024 to purchase the Johnson Bus property off Highway 33. The parcel will be used as the new location for Fire Station No. 1.
It was May 17, 2024 when WashingtonCountyInsider.com released details on the new location at 2151 W Washington Street.
Dan Johnson’s family owns the property.
“The city has agreed to honor our wishes to honor the current lease in place with the tenant which is Washington County Taxi/Johnson School Bus, and that lease runs until the end of July 2025,” said Johnson.
That parcel, just to the south of State Highway 33, is 12 acres. Johnson said the city would purchase the entire property.
Below is how the item looks on the agenda:
Closed session
22. Entertain a Motion to Adjourn into Closed Session Pursuant to State Statutes Section 19.85(1)(e) Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session. (Offer to Purchase Land for Fire Station #1)
IX. Reconvene into Open Session
23. Approval of Offer to Purchase
Monday’s council meeting begins at 6:30 in the council chambers at City Hall, 1115 S. Main Street. The meeting is open to the public.
Below are stories that were previously published regarding the site selection for the new fire department.
May 20, 2024 – West Bend, Wi – More details are being released regarding the new location for West Bend Fire Station No. 1. On Friday, May 17, 2024, WashingtonCountyInsider.com was first to announce the new location as the Johnson Bus Company property, 2151 W Washington Street.
Owner Dan Johnson said he had been in discussions with the city for the last six months.
“We have a handshake deal with the city in place and we will probably finalize the transaction over the next couple of months,” said Johnson. “The city has agreed to honor our wishes to honor the current lease that’s in place with the tenant, which is Washington County Taxi/Johnson School Bus, and that lease runs until the end of July 2025.
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The Johnson family has owned the 12-acre lot since the early 1980s. “My grandfather ran a small Redi-Mix plant there, years and years ago,” said Johnson.
It was when the state shifted the Highway 45 bypass from running through downtown Main Street, west to its current location is when the Johnson’s moved the old Redi-Mix plant but hung onto the property. “We negotiated with the highway department because the state was taking that land and we had to move a couple blocks away,” said Johnson.
Questioned what will happen to the taxi/bus company in July 2025, Johnson said, “The city will take the entire property and the taxi/bus company will have to relocate. We might help them with that and find a place in the industrial park or someplace with overhead garages to accommodate. Or they will find a place on their own; maybe lease something smaller.”
The Common Council will go into closed session on Monday, May 20,2024. The agenda reads:
Closed Session
21. Entertain a Motion to Adjourn into Closed Session Pursuant to State Statutes Section
19.85(1)(e) Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of
public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or
bargaining reasons require a closed session. (Offer to Purchase Land for Fire Station #1)
The city reportedly looked at three different locations including the Kwik Trip lot off Highway 33 and 18th Avenue. Operational issues, access to Hwy 33, and sharing a driveway with Kwik Trip pushed that location off as an option.
Another fire department related issue will be discussed in open session during Monday’s meeting, that involves the Kewaskum Fire Department. The agenda item is below.
Monday’s meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall. The meeting is open to the public.
Below is an initial story about the new location for the fire station No. 1 that ran earlier this week.
May 17, 2024 – West Bend, Wi – The West Bend Common Council will move into closed session on Monday, May 20, 2024, to consider an Offer to Purchase Land for Fire Station #1.
The city of West Bend has three fire stations: No. 1 at 325 N. Eighth Avenue, No. 2 at 901 N. River Road, and No. 3 at 2100 S. Main Street. Station No. 1 is about 60 years old; originally the building was home to the fire and police department – West Bend Police Department moved in 1992.
According to fire chief Les Norin the new location has been selected.
Dan Johnson said his family has been in talks with the City of West Bend for the last 6 months and they have a “handshake deal” to sell the Johnson Bus company property just to the east of Highway 45.
“We would finalize the transaction over the next couple of months and the city has agreed to honor our wishes to honor the current lease in place with the tenant which is Washington County Taxi/Johnson School Bus, and that lease runs until the end of July 2025,” said Johnson.
That parcel, just to the south of State Highway 33, is 12 acres. Johnson said the city would purchase the entire property.
Also on the agenda Monday, under Agenda Items for Consideration includes: Memorandum of Understanding Between City of West Bend Fire Department and Village of Kewaskum Fire Department to Pursue Consolidation of Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Closed Session
21. Entertain a Motion to Adjourn into Closed Session Pursuant to State Statutes Section
19.85(1)(e) Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of
public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or
bargaining reasons require a closed session. (Offer to Purchase Land for Fire Station #1)
Monday’s meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall. The meeting is open to the public.
Below is an article that ran in 2023 regarding the search for a new fire station location.
December 18, 2023 – West Bend, WI – It has been about a year since WashingtonCountyInsider.com ran an article about the City of West Bend looking for a new location for fire station No. 1 on the corner of Hwy 33 and Main Street. What are your guesses about a new location – possibly on Hwy 33, closer to the east of Hwy 45 exit ramp.
Bill Oelhafen was fire chief in West Bend when the original station at Seventh Avenue was constructed in 1967 or 1969.
The city was exploring its options to the west and during the common council’s December 4 meeting the council went into closed session to discuss a possible fire department land purchase.
Another closed session is on tap this evening; the content on the agenda is rather vague but indicates “purchasing public properties” and a “developer’s agreement.”
The City of West Bend is exploring its options regarding plans to build a new fire station near W. Washington Street and 18th Avenue to replace Fire Station 1, on the southeast corner of Eighth Avenue and Highway 33.
A note about a meeting between the city administrator and fire chief Gerald Kudek was published in the January 2023 edition of the Pilgrim Herald by Pilgrim Ev. Lutheran Church, 462 Meadowbrook Drive, in West Bend, WI.
The meeting between the city and Board of Trustees at Pilgrim Ev. Lutheran was reportedly held December 5, 2022. The note in the Pilgrim Herald read:
The West Bend City Administrator and Fire Chief made a presentation to the Board of Trustees (Bob Knuth and Jim Behrens also attended because of their President and Vice President roles) regarding their search for a new location for the downtown fire station, currently located at Main Street and Hwy 33. They have determined that the optimum location is near the junction of Hwy 33 and 18th Street. They are looking at several properties in the area and are asking if the members of Pilgrim would be interested in selling about 1.9 acres of the buildable property that we own along 18th Avenue for the new Fire Department. No action on the request was taken by the Board of Trustees or the Church Council; additional information will be provided to the congregation and a subject for the next Voters’ Meeting.
Treasurers Report – J
The Pilgrim Herald
Pilgrim Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
The map below shows Pilgrim Ev. Lutheran Church owns a parcel that’s a little over 10 acres. The church building is in the southeast corner of the property. There is a small stream or wetland area to the south (note the blue line in the map). Next door, on the corner is the Walgreens and across the street to the west is McDonald’s and further south is the old Fleet Farm lot, now home to Kwik Trip.
Then Fire Chief Gerald Kudek said this meeting is part of the process as they explore building a new fire station.
“We just look at land that is in a radius of where we need to be in order to give four-minute service (response time) to everybody,” he said. “We thought it was appropriate to do our due diligence first and look at vacant land. Because once vacant land is gone, it’s gone. So, we’re exploring those options first, and then we’ll make that decision if we’re going to build right away or remodel station No. 2.”
The city of West Bend has three fire stations; No. 1 at 325 N. Eighth Avenue, No. 2 at 901 N. River Road, and No. 3 at 2100 S. Main Street.
Kudek said station No. 1 is about 60 years old; prior to the fire department occupying the building it was home to the West Bend Police Department until 1992.
Questioned whether the department has room to grow at its current site on Main and Hwy 33, Kudek said the building mechanicals are not up to par and the location hinders coverage on the west side of town.
“We actually drew a radius of where the potential station would best benefit the population,” said Kudek. ”Our goal is to get everybody within a four-minute response time.”
Calls were place to the Dist. 1 alderman about the location on 18th Avenue and to the West Bend Police and Fire Commission and no one was aware a property search was underway.
“We’re not exactly disclosing any of them (the locations),” said Kudek. “Because some of them would require negotiations and things like that and some we haven’t reached out to yet. We’re just checking them off the list kind of thing.
“We haven’t done anything because we haven’t had any serious talks, or we haven’t entered into negotiations with anybody. It’s strictly looking at this map, looking at the vacant properties inside that circle and just reaching out and saying, would you be interested in selling any vacant property.”
Kudek said they are looking for a 3-acre parcel.
Across the road to the south on 18th Ave. and Hwy 33 is the long vacant lot (with a hill) next to Kwik Trip.
Kudek said that spot does fall “in the circle.”
“We’re doing our due diligence on every available property in that radius. Some are more viable than others.”
Kudek was unsure of the price tag for the property, or a new building and he had no timeline on the process.
‘We’re just doing our due diligence and trying to work through the process,” he said. “We’re just trying to work our way through that list and we’re starting with the most desirable property and checking them off and moving down from here.”
There was no word what would happen to the current location should the fire department vacate the site. Although parking has been part of the discussion downtown for years, one neighbor wondered if the corner would be turned into a parking ramp.
The Board of Trustees with Pilgrim Ev. Lutheran Church will be voting on the proposal on whether to sell the land to the city. Stay tuned.
Side notes:
- The former Chase Bank to the west of the current Station No. 1 was for sale. Kudek was questioned about combining lots and shutting down the one-way street for a larger parcel. He said that location was not in the radius of where they’re looking to improve response times to the west.
- One of the parishioners wondered if the new fire station would rival “the Taj Mahal in Jackson.” Kudek said, “Obviously, they built it for their needs with the police and village hall and all those kinds of things. This will be a standalone fire station.”
