While Bismarck residents are being asked whether sales tax revenues can be used to build a new northside fire stations in June's municipal election, the facility will be built no matter the outcome.

At Tuesday's city commission meeting, a contract was approved with EAPC to provide architectural and engineering services for the new fire station. The project also will include a public works sand storage facility.

Fire Chief Joel Boespflug made the presentation on behalf of the selection committee, adding that funding for the architectural and engineering work is available.

City Commissioner Steve Schwab asked if it wasn't premature to be entering into the agreement with a vote on the funding scheduled for June.

Commissioner Sandi Tabor said the matter of the fire station has been part of commission discussion for several years, and the city has gone as far as implementing a portion of its staffing plan.

"We all agreed that our preferred way to pay for the fire station was with sales tax," Tabor said. "If voters don't allow it, we will find other funding."

Tabor added that the commission wasn't just spending money on architectural and engineering plans without having a project. A northside fire station is part of the city's strategic plan and necessary for the safety of a portion of the community that continues to develop.

The commission also approved award of engineering services to Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services for water reservoir and pump station design, along with a multi-use site master plan that accompanies the new northside fire station facility. The reservoir and pump station will be built near the fire station at State Street and 43rd Avenue. The maximum contract amount for the project is $101,000.

Director of public utility operations Keith Demke explained that the project with AE2S will develop two products. A master plan for efficient use of the site to include the water reservoir and pump station, the new north fire station and public works sand storage facility and other uses that may be identified during design. It also will produce a concept design report for the water facilities to be constructed.

Demke assured Commissioner Schwab that when it came time for actual design and engineering for construction of the infrastructure, another request for proposal will be issued for the services.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)