CITY OF DECORAH
BOND REFERENDUM
November 3, 2026
On November 3, 2026, City of Decorah residents will be asked to consider a bond referendum to build a new fire station and complete critical updates to the existing Municipal Building.
The Need
An August 2025 assessment determined the current apparatus bay floor is failing due to leaking storm water pipes washing away the foundation. This is a serious safety concern.
In addition, the current fire station:
- is too small for all equipment to be stored onsite.
- lacks decontamination space, equipment drying and storage space, and a separate gear room.
- does not have separate sleeping rooms nor adequate workspace.
IMPACT TO THE CITY’S TAX LEVY
This is an ideal time for the City to bond for this project because:
- Existing debt obligations are being paid off.
- The Decorah Rural Fire Protective Association has committed $1 million towards the project.
- The City’s AA+ bond rating will allow for competitive financing.
Site Improvements For New Fire Station
Total Project Cost*:
$1 million
Building Footprint:
N/A
- Demolish structurally failing existing apparatus bays and provide protected visitor parking.
- Emergency response drive aisle to improve response efficiency and reduces vehicle conflicts.
- Designated firefighter parking to ensure safe arrival, quick turnout, and efficient response.
Click the image to enlarge.
New Fire Station
Total Project Cost*:
$15.5 million
Building Footprint:
23,000 square feet
Click the image to enlarge.
- Flexible training space that can fit the entire department.
- Publicly accessible and secure main entry and lobby space.
- Code compliant accessible restrooms for building users.
- Single-user sleeping rooms & single-user restrooms for full-time on-duty staff.
- Compact living support spaces including laundry, kitchenette, dining, and dayroom.
- Versatile open office space for report writing and informal meetings.
- Engineer’s desk, central to the building with line-of-sight to the main entry
- Clean maintenance workspace for drones, electronics, contaminate-free equipment servicing.
- Dirty maintenance workspace for vehicles, gear, equipment, & tools.
- Isolated and ventilated locker room for fire fighter turnout gear.
- Multi-purpose tower supporting hose maintenance, scenario training, and radio equipment.
- Dedicated decontamination zone to reduce carcinogen exposure and promote firefighter safety.
- Apparatus bays provide a single location for emergency vehicles and equipment, replacing separate storage areas & enhancing operational readiness.
Critical Updates to Municipal Building
Total Project Cost*:
$3.9 million
Building Footprint:
9,700 square feet
Click the image to enlarge.
- Replace building systems that are operating beyond their useful service life including roofing, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and security.
- Accessible, flexible meeting and support spaces to accommodate visitors, civic gatherings, council sessions, and community events.
- Improved layout and expanded storage enhance efficiency, organization, and daily operations for Parks and Recreation.
- Relocating Public Works, City Engineering, and Mayor’s Office from off-site locations, allowing for more efficient collaboration with other City staff and improved accessibility to the public.
- Targeted workspace updates optimize existing space while improving staff functionality.
* Total Project Cost includes construction costs, design fees, owner's soft costs, and escalation.
Election Day Voting
November 3, 2026 | 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will voters decide?
Voters will decide whether to authorize the City of Decorah to borrow up to $20.9 million for municipal facilities projects, specifically:
- Building a new fire station
- Fixing City Hall
Here’s the question voters will answer Yes or No to:
Shall the City of Decorah, State of Iowa, issue its general obligation bonds or capital loan notes in an amount not exceeding the amount of $20,900,000, in one or more series, for the purpose of paying costs of designing, constructing, reconstructing, enlarging, improving, equipping, and furnishing municipal facilities, including a new fire station and renovation of City Hall, with related site improvements?
Why do voters have to approve this?
This project would require Decorah to take on a large amount of debt for what Iowa law calls a general corporate purpose. That legal term includes projects like fire stations, pools, and community centers. State law requires an election before a city can take on this amount of debt for a general corporate purpose.
How many votes are required for the referendum to pass?
At least 60 percent of votes must be “yes” for the referendum to pass.
How would the City repay the debt?
The City would collect debt-service property taxes and use that money to pay back the loans. The final repayment schedule has not yet been set. City officials have discussed a 20-year term.
How much could this add to my property-tax bill?
The answer depends on the amount actually borrowed, the interest rate on the bonds, the repayment schedule, the total value of taxed property in the city, and the tax classification of your particular property.
For example, If the city borrows the entire $20.9 million, secures a 5% interest rate, and evenly spreads out the payments for 20 years, the effect on a $250,000 home’s tax bill will be about $380 / year.