Anderson County Rural Fire Director Cruz Gillespie got approval from county commissioners to renew research into a rural fire station project in Garnett which was put on the shelf in 2020, after COVID price increases in the construction industry blew estimates for the project out of reach. Gillespie told commissioners he was hoping to set up a project group to discuss ideas for a structure at a site previously planned to house vehicles and equipment for Garnett’s rural fire team on West Seventh Street in Garnett that was too large for the actual need for the Garnett rural department. The proposed project was estimated initially at between $750,000 and $800,000, but the lowest initial bid came in at $1.6 million. Gillespie say grants might be available to fund a portion of the project. Commission Chairman Les McGhee recalled the Welda rural fire station project from 2019, in which requirements for the grant cost to the project. Commissioners at the time opted to forego the grant. Commissioners encouraged gillespie to investigate a design and estimates for a new project.
