At the Oct. 19 Denison City Council meeting, staff presented a financing plan for expanding the city’s outdoor warning siren system. Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator Hunter Harris explained that the city currently operates five sirens, each covering roughly 1,803 acres (about 5,000 feet radius). As new subdivisions and commercial projects rise beyond that coverage, gaps in emergency notification are emerging.
Why a new fee is needed
Harris noted that the city’s tight budget leaves little room for capital projects such as additional sirens. To avoid tapping general funds, the department calculated a per‑acre charge that would directly link development costs to the infrastructure needed to protect new residents and businesses.
The proposed fee is $29.70 per acre. Harris arrived at that figure by dividing the $53,544 cost of a single siren by the 1,803 acres it serves. Under the ordinance, developers would pay the fee when their projects are recorded, ensuring that the cost of extending the warning network is borne by those who benefit from it.
Coverage gaps highlighted
During the presentation, Harris pointed to the upcoming Preston Harbor development as a case study. The area currently has no siren coverage and would require roughly three new units to achieve adequate reach. Without additional sirens, residents in that and similar expanding neighborhoods could be left without timely alerts for severe weather, tornadoes, or other emergencies.
Council response and next steps
The council did not vote on the ordinance during the Oct. 19 session, and the item was not discussed further. The proposal will appear again on the agenda for the Nov. 2 meeting, where council members are expected to consider the fee’s impact on developers and the broader community.
City officials emphasized that the fee is designed to be fair and transparent. By tying the cost to the amount of land being developed, the city aims to avoid a flat charge that could disproportionately affect smaller projects while still generating sufficient revenue to fund the siren expansion.
What this means for residents
For homeowners and business owners in Denison, the fee represents a proactive step toward bolstering public safety. As the city continues to grow, ensuring that every corner of the community can receive emergency alerts is essential for protecting families, preserving property, and maintaining confidence in local emergency services.
Stakeholders who wish to comment on the ordinance are encouraged to submit feedback before the Nov. 2 council meeting. The city plans to make the final fee structure and implementation timeline publicly available once the ordinance is adopted.
Original reporting: DenisonWeekly.news — read the source article.
