Council approves RFP financing for 2025 Pierce pumper and $844,845 in supplemental appropriations

The Bristol (Va.) City Council on Sept. 9 authorized city staff to negotiate financing for a 2025 Pierce Sabre pumper (RFP FD‑26‑002) and approved a supplemental appropriation totaling $844,845 that rolls carryover funds forward and recognizes additional grant and insurance revenues.

Tamara Spradlin told council that two sealed proposals were received for the fire truck financing and that an evaluation committee including the assistant city manager, the CFO, deputy finance director, fire chief and staff recommended the bank judged to represent best value for the city. The solicitation was RFP number FD‑26‑002. After the presentation, a council member made a motion "for approval of the RFP with Cogent Bank, as proposed." The clerk called the roll and the motion passed with all recorded council votes as "Yes." The transcript shows staff earlier naming a winning proposer (staff said Cochin Bank during the evaluation summary), and the motion used the name "Cogent Bank;" city staff or the clerk should confirm the final contract name in the official contract file before execution.

Council discussed timing and budget impacts. Finance staff said payments for the financed apparatus will begin in the next fiscal year (payments "won't even start coming due until sometime after July 1 next year"). The anticipated delivery date for the pumper is around Nov. 1 of the current year, staff said.

Separately, the council approved a supplemental appropriation of $844,845. The appropriation included $543,436 in general‑fund carryover items (for example, sheriff's department donations and unspent Clear Creek Golf Course revenue carryover of $388,757) and $226,409 in non‑carryover appropriations (including specialty docket grant funds, police and fire grant increases, insurance proceeds and hazardous materials response funds). The council voted unanimously to approve the supplemental appropriation.

Council discussion noted Clear Creek Golf Course exceeded revenue expectations and that carryover supports were intended to roll funding for delayed projects into the new fiscal year. No oppositions or vetoes were recorded in the meeting transcript.