Hills

After years of discussion, Hills voters have approved a bond to build a new fire station and city hall.

Residents approved the $5.1 million bond last Tuesday with 68.4% support, exceeding the 60% needed to pass. The measure received 349 yes votes and 161 no votes.

Breaking ground

Construction on the new fire station and city hall is expected to begin next summer, with completion anticipated by the end of summer 2028.

Following the bond’s approval, Hills Mayor Tim Kemp issued a statement outlining the next steps. 

“We were very happy with the results of the election on November 3rd. The 68% approval by the voters shows just how much the community supports the fire department. We talked on Monday morning with our architect and bond consultants to talk about the next steps. We hope to let the project for bid sometime in April and hopefully construction will begin sometime in June.”

Raising taxes

The bond is expected to increase property taxes by about $147.60 a year, or $12.30 a month.

During the Oct. 26 informational session, city officials said the worst-case estimate would be about $261 per year. 

Kemp said the tax impact would vary by property. “It’s based on your house.”

Exploring options

The city began discussing options for its facilities in 2020 and explored renovating the existing fire station in 2022. However, after Shive-Hattery estimated renovation costs at $5.4 million, city officials decided to consider other options.

Elementary school property

After the former elementary school building was demolished in the winter of 2025, possession of the land returned to the Iowa City Community School District. The city saw an opportunity to acquire the site and purchased it in May for $450,000.

City officials then considered how to use the property, including the possibility of building a combined fire station and city hall.

Following further discussion, the council approved placing the $5.1 million bond proposal on the November ballot.

Informational sessions

Before the election, the city held three informational sessions with architect Al Buck of Solum Lang to explain the proposed building and answer residents’ questions.

Buck said the new city hall would provide individual offices for employees, along with room at the back of the building for future expansion.

The fire station would also include showers, which the current station lacks, and enough garage space to house all eight fire trucks.

City offices

The current city office is across from the fire station. Although it was expanded about 15 years ago, space remains limited, with IT equipment currently housed in the bathroom.

The new city hall would provide individual offices and dedicated space for that equipment.

Before the vote, City Administrator Adriane Sedlacek explained how the proposed offices would benefit employees and residents.

“A new office would improve ventilation for the employees, provide privacy for confidential conversations and meetings, provide a more functional space and create a more welcoming environment for serving residents.”

Mayor Tim Kemp also pointed to leaks in the current office.

“You can see where the carpet stains. The water leaks through.”

Kemp said the office’s layout also makes it difficult to hold private conversations, including discussions with prospective business owners.

“There’s no place to have a private conversation with anybody. A new business wanted to come to town. Oh, they got to talk in front of anybody that walks in.”

Once completed, the fire station and city hall will be Hills’ first new public building in more than 50 years.