The bond issue for fire protection will place stations where they are needed most, reducing response times and potentially saving lives, administrators say. Voters will head to the polls April 9 to decide whether to continue the city's 1 percent sales tax to pay for about $226 million in projects. Of that, about $15.8 million would go to the Fire Department. About $15 million is budgeted for three new fire stations, three trucks and equipment. The dollar amount in the bond issue is a little higher than what's budgeted to cover whatever interest might be charged at the time the bonds are sold. City officials haven't yet pinpointed where to put the new stations, but the department knows it wants one each in the south, central and northwest parts of town, Fire Chief David Dayringer said.