DECATUR — The Decatur Fire Department received a loan of up to $60,000 from the Decatur State Bank to complete an addition to the fire station, fire chief David Flynt said at the June 11 city council meeting.

The loan will be in supplement to a $75,000 grant from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

The addition will include a truck bay, kitchen area, office, laundry room, bathroom, storage room and covered patio area, according to a floorplan supplied to the council. The total cost is estimated to be $102,000, according to a quote from Gardisser Construction.

Flynt said the department will probably not have to use the entire $60,000 loan for the addition. He explained that he asked for that amount to make sure there would be enough money to finish the project.

The loan will be paid back over an 8-year period at an interest rate of 6 percent, with annual payments of $9,400. Money from Act 833 will be used to pay off the loan.

Arkansas Act 833 of 1991 provides funds for training, firefighting equipment, and initial capital construction or improvements of fire departments, according to the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management website www.adem.arkansas.gov.

There is always a possibility that the funds could dry up in the future, Flynt said at the May council meeting.

The Fire Department’s previous construction loan with the Decatur State Bank was paid off in December, Flynt said.

Council members voted to pass a motion that the city will be responsible for repaying the debt if the Act 833 money becomes unavailable, to fulfill the bank’s requirements.

Community, Pages 11 on 06/27/2012