Renovation of Kilgore fire station three, almost complete
By KATHRYN MARTINEZ news1@kilgorenewsherald.com

Renovations at fire station three are nearing completion.

Ronnie Moore, Kilgore director of public safety, said the building on Stone Road has been outfitted with a new roof. Air conditioning units have been moved from the roof and installed on a ground-level concrete slab.

Moore will meet with painters today and tile installation is to begin on Monday.

Moore said when the station is painted and tiled, all that will remain on the to-do list is furnishing the building with appliances.

The station now houses Champion EMS. Upon relocation of the emergency medical services unit, the station will house Kilgore firefighters.

Champion is slated to move into a new or refurbished building, depending on council's decision, in the coming weeks.

Council has a whole slate of pending decisions to be settled, including whether to call a bond election or raise property taxes to fund construction on Chandler street; whether to match an anonymous offer of $20,000 to expand the skateboard facilities at City Park; and whether to help Dogwood Estates (far west of Kilgore) with maintenance on a road that services city water well number eight, stemming from an agreement made many years ago.

Decisions that were made last night include giving Jeff Howell, city manager, the go-ahead, to replace the roof on the old Crim theater; and agreeing that long-time customers in good standing with the city water department should receive a refund on water deposits no longer collected.

According to Howell, the funds in reserve appear as a liability in accounting.

Council also approved an agreement wit KSA Engineers, of Longview, to move forward with phase two of Maverick Drive construction; awarded a bid for $62, 460.56, to Communication Specialists for installation of four additional warning sirens; approved the purchase of a Freightliner fire truck at a price of $163,500.

The next meeting of Kilgore City Council is 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 26 at Kilgore City Hall in Council Chambers.