According to a report from PortCityDaily, New Hanover County, North Carolina, is expected to save more than $8 million on interest fees in next few years after the county’s finance department refunded bonds.

County Manager Chris Coudriet said that his staff regularly watches over current interest costs that could reduce debt. Most recently, the county took advantage of historically low rates, taking out a loan for the new Ogden Fire Station and Pine Valley Library.

The total net present value savings will top $8.7 million by the end of the debts’ existence. Coudriet noted that, by reducing expenses, the county may keep taxes and fees down.

The county refunded nearly 15 percent of outstanding debt from a bank loan it took out in 2018 for the construction of the library and fire station. The refunding produced $1,083,201 in net present value savings and will decrease payments by about $97,000 annually.

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Repairs have started at Katy Fire Department’s Fire Station One after water leaked into the building causing mold and other concerns, reports Katy Times.

The construction is being paid for from the city’s recently-established Capital Improvement fund. Water leaks in the building have been an ongoing issue since the 38-year-old building was built.

According to city documents, the city had the building analyzed and brought in engineers and contractors to assess its condition. Eventually, the city decided to repair the building rather than replace it.

Work in the first phase of the repair is expected to be completed the last week of May.

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The Paris Fire Department has welcomed a 2018 demo fire truck that will save the city approximately $200,000 as opposed to ordering a new model, reports The Prairie Press.

It is replacing an engine that has been in service since 1999. The new truck carries a 1,000-gallon water tank and has 1.500-gallon per minute pump.

All three duty shifts will need to train on the vehicle so it will not be in service for another month. The local department is responsible for lining the hose compartment with hose, installing extrication tools, the Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus air bottles and assorted other items. The rest of the equipment going onto the truck is already part of the department’s inventory and will not require additional purchases.

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The North Powder Rural Fire Protection District held an open host for a fire station, reports The Observer.

The fire station cost $1 million and will help the all-volunteer department serve an area of 172 square miles.

The department paid for the bulk of the building with its own funds. Other funding came from frants from local and regional organizations and donations from numerous businesses and residents.

A general contractor oversaw the construction of the building. Many of the fire departments members helped with the work, including installing interior walls. Children of firefighters also chipped in, often with the cleanup.

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