Bangor Township Residents Vote on $9.3M Fire Station Bond That Would Replace Over 50-Year-Old Station

Bangor Township Fire Department Faces Modernization Challenge

Residents of Bangor Township will vote on a $9.28 million bond proposal Saturday, April 18, that would fund the construction of a new fire station to replace Station 6, which has operated since 1963.

The current facility sits in a building originally constructed as a plumbing business in the 1940s. Township officials say the electrical systems are so insufficient that running an air conditioner and microwave simultaneously can trip the breaker. The bays are also too short to accommodate longer rescue vehicles that have become standard in the modern fire department.

Bond Details and Funding

The project would be built on property formerly occupied by a Michigan State Police post, which the township acquired on July 9, 2024, for $1. The proposed single-level building would measure 11,634 square feet.

Township officials have been planning for the project since voters passed a fire millage in 2018, setting money aside to address Station 6 problems. A 2021 feasibility study determined the current building could not support needed renovations because there is no room to expand outward and the structure is not stable enough to support upward expansion.

The township has $1.04 million in reserves remaining after spending $162,500 on studies, design and demolition. Additional funding has come from marijuana revenue, which totaled about $760,000 in 2025, with $400,000 allocated for fire station improvements. However, officials said this revenue is not guaranteed and is expected to fluctuate.

The township cannot bond more than $8.5 million, and any capital costs not covered by grants or previously set aside funds would be paid through the bond. Property taxes would vary annually based on changes in taxable value driven by the state's Inflation Rate Multiplier.

Financial Impact on Residents

If the bond passes, the township said the average house will see an increase of approximately $75 total for the year. The proposed single-level building would be funded through a 30-year bond with an estimated first-year millage rate of 0.8447 mills and an average rate of 0.7840 mills over the bond duration.

Township officials say there would be no additional staffing or equipment costs with the new station. However, estimated annual utility costs would be about $22,000.

Fire Department Response

The fire department responded to 25 fires in 2025, including structure, vehicle and brush fires. If the bond passes, the current Station 6 building would be used for storage of fire equipment currently stored at various township locations.

The open house to discuss the bond proposal is set for Saturday, April 18 at the Bangor Township Hall, 3921 Wheeler Road, from 6-to-8 p.m.

Sources:

• MLive: https://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw-bay-city/2026/04/town-hall-to-address-bangor-townships-93m-fire-station-plan.html
• WNEM: https://www.wnem.com/2026/03/31/learn-more-about-bond-proposal-replace-more-than-50-year-old-fire-station/