Fire Station 53
Third fire station for the south side of the city, initially in an existing home leased from UDOT while the city works on a property trade; staffing nine new firefighters costs about $1.4 million a year, partly funded by a proposed 9% property tax increase. A permanent station costing $20-30 million could go to a bond vote around 2028.
- Where it stands
- Under construction
- Type
- Public project
- Location
- 30-acre city parcel, south side
- Applicant
- American Fork City
Every hearing and vote
February 10, 2022 · City Council work session
Community survey, goals and FY2022 status
Discussed
Camden Bird reported 1,476 survey responses: 90% rated quality of life good or excellent; top issues were poor roads, too much growth and internet access. 47% would support a fee or tax increase for roads (45% no). Updates: the 30-acre south-side park purchase was locked in; Fire Station 52 land bought and in design; Fire Station 53 land purchased; 36-inch water line segment 3 awarded; PI meter supplies ordered with a matching grant. Revenues were up 22.7% and sales tax 12.1%. $927,000 in PARC Tax is available for May awards.
March 15, 2022 · City Council work session
FY2023 capital projects and RDA funds
Discussed
Requested public works capital totaled $5,712,477, including $2.88 million for infrastructure management, $1.776 million for the 700 North connection road and $850,000 for 300 West improvements. Other requests: Fire Station 52 and police range, Fire Station 53 land, a police/courts feasibility study, and building repairs. The Egg Farm EDA has about $1.4 million for 1100 South and possibly 1500 South widening.
February 16, 2023 · City Council work session
FY2024 capital outlook and five-year critical needs
Discussed
Public Works Director Susan Goebel-Canning outlined $17 million in infrastructure needs (road preservation and reconstruction, water mains and valves, 4 miles of sewer slip lining, storm drains); total requests $69 million. Critical needs: general plan update (land use element from 2005); public works complex land; fitness center plans in 2023-24 with a possible GO bond in November 2024 and construction 2025-26; fiber bonding; 3-4 more south-side parks; and Fire Station 53 on the 30-acre parcel to serve the TOD area, which Chief Aaron Brems said is needed now.
February 23, 2024 · City Council work session
Taxes and utility fee comparison; 5-10-20 year resource outlook
Discussed
Bunker said American Fork ranks 5th highest in county property taxes paid but 5th lowest in utility rates, 6th lowest combined. Population projected at 55,000 by 2028. Police: 54 officers versus 76 at 1.3 per 1,000; needs evidence storage and parking. Fire Chief Aaron Brems said Station 53 is needed within 1-3 years to cover the south end, with a 3-year design-build timeline. Public works has bought homes east of its yard to expand. IT Director George Schade said the network operations center sits in a basement that depends on sewage pumps and must move. The cemetery has about 9 years of lot sales left; the city has 252 acres of parks.
- Staff: 293 FTE now; 323, 360, 468 projected
- Police: 54 officers; 76 at 1.3/1,000
- Space need: 110,000 sq ft
February 23, 2024 · City Council work session
FY2025 strategic goals
Discussed
Goals: fiber (finish mid-level design, bond, possible referendum, needs about a 40% take rate), Fire Station 53 design and GO bond strategy, downtown revitalization, general plan update, facilities master plan, fitness center design, public works facility, water reuse. Taylor proposed a customer service initiative. Frost said TOD townhomes rented by the room bring four or five cars each and suggested a parking service district.
April 23, 2024 · City Council work session
FY2025 general fund, capital projects and fleet budget
Discussed
Revenue: taxes up $1,111,222 (5% new growth, no rate increase), charges for services up $1,313,007 (renegotiated Cedar Hills public safety contract, court rent), interest and misc. up $718,059 including $500,000 developer streetlight contributions. 5.5 new FTEs. Fire budget $7.9 million (+$832,000). Planning: $250,000 downtown revitalization plan; council members said they wanted action, not another study. Public works capital $12.6 million: $3.5 million road improvement plan, $1.4 million Auto Mall connection side path (impact fees), 200 South roundabouts at 300 West and 100 East, 700 North, 300 North/600 East intersection, 700 South extension. Community services $8.4 million: boat harbor, 200 South trail, $250,000 park designs, Rotary lights $450,000 with PARC match, $240,000 Fox Hollow contribution. Other: $1.5 million downtown property reserve, $400,000 electronic billboard, $300,000 police evidence building. Fire Station 53 not funded yet; the city expected to close on its land in the fall.
- Public works capital: $12.6 million
- Road improvement plan: $3.5 million
- Auto Mall connection side path: $1.4 million
- Community services capital: $8.4 million
- Downtown revitalization reserve: $1.5 million
- Electronic billboard: $400,000
- Police evidence building: $300,000
June 4, 2024 · City Council work session
Fiscal 2025 budget book review
Discussed
Road capital projects split into a separate fund. Includes $50,000 for Fire Station 53 site analysis and concept design and $250,000 for a downtown revitalization plan. Staffing: communications position to full-time, 1.5 part-time park laborers, a full-time senior center manager, two police officers, 1.25 part-time firefighters, a GIS technician. Bunker cautioned against funding park staff from the PARC tax, which must be renewed by voters. No tax increase planned.
- Fire Station 53 site analysis: $50,000
- Downtown revitalization plan: $250,000
- +2 police officers; +1 GIS technician
February 20, 2025 · City Council work session
General plan, station area plan and department outlooks
Discussed
Population grew from 33,337 (2020) to about 45,335 with 4,873 new units. Police face wage competition and space; fire apparatus costs up 50-100%, a new station needs 15 employees, and Station 51 needs about 4,000 sq. ft. or Station 53 sooner; public works needs space and has a water rights application facing four protests. GO bond capacity is largest but requires a vote.
January 13, 2026 · City Council
Lease-purchase of Fire Engine 53 with Zions Bank
Approved · 5-0
Resolution 2026-01-04R: seven-year lease-to-own financing at 4.47% through Zions Bank Corporation NA for $1,137,152 for Fire Engine 53, ordered in April 2023 and arriving about 33 months later.
- Amount: $1,137,152
- Rate: 4.47%, 7 years
January 27, 2026 · City Council
Resolution of intent to pursue property exchange with UDOT at 700 West 620 South
Approved · 4-0
Resolution 2026-01-06R expresses intent to exchange property with UDOT at about 700 West 620 South, subject to future approvals; it next goes to the Utah Transportation Commission. Councilmember John said it secures the corridor for the connector road and access through Lakeshore Drive, plus what is needed for Fire Station 53. Councilmember Hunter said a resident emailed that day frustrated at how long it was taking.
- Resolution No. 2026-01-06R
February 19, 2026 · City Council work session
Community survey and fiscal 2026 strategic goals
Discussed
Assistant City Administrator Camden Bird reported 864 survey responses; 58% favored putting a Fitness Center bond on the ballot; top capital wishes were a new Fitness Center, more parks, a third fire station and FrontRunner access; roads and density drew the most comments. Fiber: a public-private partnership with CentraCom and Strata; Strata is not ready, CentraCom is. Public works facility architect bid planned for March. Fire Station 53: the city has leased a home from UDOT, hopes to move in by May, and is working with UDOT to trade property. Police and courts remodel was out to bid. Economic development moved in-house.
- Survey: 864 responses; 58% support a Fitness Center bond
- Fiber partners: CentraCom, Strata
- Station 53: temporary home leased from UDOT
February 19, 2026 · City Council work session
Fiscal 2027 project proposals and priorities
Discussed
Fitness Center options from a 2022 VCBO study: 'must do' facelift with a 20,000-square-foot addition, a 90,000-square-foot 'better' option, or a 120,000-square-foot 'best' option with an indoor pool. Lakeview Park on 620 South: trail, restroom, pavilion, playground, pickleball/padel courts, dog park and parking, $3-4 million, partly impact fees. Slough Trail from Monarch Park south: $600,000-700,000. Lakeshore Drive to 1500 South: a three-lane collector just over a mile; first phase 26 feet of asphalt for about $3.1 million while TSSD installs sewer lines; the city is working with a church to obtain the last piece. 200 South interim improvements estimated at $24.7 million in 2022, with $8 million more for full build. 2026 road maintenance plan: $2.7 million. Pony Express Parkway: Phase 1 with $14.9 million in MAG funding; Phase 2 with $17.97 million to connect 700 West to 500 East and 1500 South, likely 2030-31. 700 West: a MAG request to connect Pony Express Parkway to 200 South as a TOD major arterial, about $5.05 million including right-of-way. Dixie Well: about $5.65 million on two city parcels, one for the pump house and one for staging then sale as a home lot, with 24-hour drilling for about two weeks. Station 53: possible bond vote in 2028 after a Fitness Center bond vote. Other priorities: in-house legal counsel, an I-15 flyover study with MAG, a CRA-funded 1100 South roundabout, a transportation utility fee and 100 East widening south of I-15.
- Pony Express Parkway MAG funding: Phase 1 $14.9M; Phase 2 $17.97M
- 700 West (Pony Express to 200 South): about $5.05M
- Lakeshore Drive Phase 1: about $3.1M
- 200 South interim: $24.7M (2022 estimate)
- Dixie Well: about $5.65M
- Lakeview Park: $3-4M
- Slough Trail: $600,000-700,000
August 11, 2026 · City Council
Truth in Taxation hearing on proposed property tax increase
No action
Finance Director Anna Montoya said the increase would raise $660,000 to partly staff the new fire station, about $33.41 a year for the average home. City Administrator David Bunker said the city last raised property taxes in 2008 and 2021; Station 53 needs 12 firefighters, the budget adds nine, and the roughly $1.5 million annual cost would be covered by the $660,000 increase plus existing funds. The hearing took comment only; adoption was scheduled for Aug. 25.
- Proposed increase: 8.7%
- Revenue: $660,000/year
- Average home: +$33.41/year ($2.78/month)
- Station 53 annual staffing cost: ~$1.5 million
August 25, 2026 · City Council
2026 property tax rate
Approved · 4-1
Staff offered three options: A, the advertised 8.7% increase ($660,000; rate 0.001516; $2.78 a month on a $502,000 home); B, 5.7% ($435,000; rate 0.001475; $1.87 a month) using $100,000 in insurance savings and a $125,000 cut to economic development; or C, the certified rate of 0.001395 with cuts to playground replacement and vehicle purchases. The council chose Option B, setting the rate at 0.001475. Councilmember Clark Taylor said he was 'more in favor of the reduced' 5.7%; Councilmember Ernie John warned against using reserves because of the bond rating; Holley said residents 'are getting hammered' and criticized how the increase was explained; Councilmember Ryan Hunter argued for smaller, more frequent increases.
- Adopted rate: 0.001475 (certified rate 0.001395)
- New revenue: $435,000 (5.7%)
- Purpose: partial staffing of Fire Station 53
- Shift: $225,000 to fire personnel
September 22, 2026 · City Council
Steel for temporary Fire Station 53 building
Approved · 4-0
Purchase order to CO Building Systems for steel for the metal building at temporary Station 53, ordered early because of manufacturing lead times in hopes of installing before snow.