The City of Canyon is gearing up for a public safety bond election scheduled for Saturday, May 3, 2025. This critical vote follows a decision by the Canyon City Commission during its February 4 meeting, where officials agreed to put the $14 million bond proposal before voters. If passed, the funds will be allocated to key public safety projects aimed at upgrading the city's police and fire departments and making much-needed renovations to City Hall.
Allocation of Funds
The proposed $14 million bond will be used to address the growing needs of Canyon's public safety infrastructure, specifically:
$4.9 million for the Canyon Police Department
$8.85 million for the Canyon Fire Department
$250,000 for City Hall renovations
These improvements aim to enhance the city’s emergency response capabilities, improve safety conditions for first responders, and ensure city operations keep pace with Canyon’s growth.
Police Department Upgrades and Renovations
One of the major components of the bond is $4.9 million earmarked for the Canyon Police Department. This funding will address several pressing needs, including the renovation of the department’s newly acquired facility and the construction of a new animal shelter.
In 2024, the city purchased the Gold Star building—a former commercial building—with existing city funds, rather than including it in the bond. This allowed the police department to relocate immediately and begin work on adapting the building for their use without burdening taxpayers with the cost upfront.
City Manager Joe Price explained that the $4.9 million allocation would fund:
Renovations to the newly acquired building to transform it into a fully functional police station that meets the operational needs of the department.
The construction of a new animal shelter to provide better conditions for the city's rescued animals, which is a growing need due to the department’s increased efforts in animal control.
Price explained, “We have already taken steps to purchase the building and have moved the police department into it. Now, we will begin the necessary renovations to make it a permanent home for our officers.”
Fire Department Expansion and the Safe Haven Box
The Canyon Fire Department (CFD) stands to receive the largest portion of the bond—$8.85 million—for significant upgrades aimed at improving both the department’s operational capacity and the safety of first responders. This allocation will address both structural and staffing needs as the CFD prepares for a major change in its operations.
Starting October 1, 2025, the Canyon Fire Department will begin 24/7 staffing, marking a significant shift from the current on-call arrangement. This change requires the department to upgrade its facilities to accommodate full-time personnel. The $8.85 million will be used for the following key projects:
Renovations to Fire Station One: This will include converting one of the existing vehicle bays into a living space for firefighters on 24-hour shifts. The current fire station lacks adequate living quarters for full-time staff, and this renovation is essential for housing the firefighters who will be on shift overnight.
New storage areas for firefighter gear, which is currently being exposed to the elements and fumes in the fire station bays. This project will improve the safety and longevity of equipment while ensuring compliance with safety standards.
Expansion of training facilities, including the addition of classrooms and training bays for hands-on firefighting exercises. These enhancements will improve training capabilities for Canyon’s first responders.
The construction of a training burn house for live-fire training, providing a realistic environment for firefighters to practice emergency response in a controlled setting.
The purchase of a new fire engine truck, which will help the CFD respond more effectively to fires and other emergencies in the growing city.
Fire Chief Dennis Gwyn emphasized the importance of these upgrades, especially in light of the department’s transition to full-time staffing. “To operate a 24/7 staffed department, we need to provide our firefighters with appropriate living quarters, storage for gear, and updated facilities. The renovations will help us better serve the community and ensure the safety of our first responders.”
Additionally, the fire station will serve as a Safe Haven drop-off location for infants. This is part of the city’s commitment to supporting vulnerable families. Under the Safe Haven law, parents in crisis can legally and safely surrender their newborns to trained staff at designated locations, including fire stations.
“The Safe Haven box gives parents a safe, legal option to surrender their child instead of abandoning them in an unsafe location,” explained Chief Gwyn. “As a 24/7 staffed facility, we are uniquely positioned to provide immediate care and response to this situation.”
City Hall Renovations
Finally, $250,000 will be allocated for renovations to City Hall. This portion of the bond will focus on updating the space previously occupied by the police department. With the police now relocated to their new building, the space at City Hall will be repurposed to better serve the city’s operational needs.
Mayor Gary Hinders shared that City Hall, which has been in its current location for 50 years, is also undergoing updates to ensure the city can continue to meet the needs of its growing population.
Taxpayer Impact and Fiscal Responsibility
While the bond proposal represents a significant investment in public safety infrastructure, the city is committed to keeping costs manageable for taxpayers.
According to Mayor Hinders, the city’s proactive planning has resulted in a bond package that is $2 million less than the original estimate for a new police station. “We did a study to see what it would cost to build a new police station from the ground up. The estimated cost was $16 million. By acquiring and renovating the Gold Star building, we’re able to save the taxpayers money while still addressing our public safety needs,” Hinders said.
For a homeowner with a property valued at $100,000, the bond is expected to result in an increase of about $8 per month in property taxes. The city encourages residents to visit the official website to use a tax calculator and estimate the increase based on their property value.
Voting Information
Early voting will be held from April 22 to April 29, 2025. The official election date will be Saturday, May 3, 2025. Canyon residents are encouraged to participate in this important election that will impact the future of public safety in the city.
.jpeg)
