Pratt County Fire & Rescue gets approval for 12 tires; chief signals upcoming retirement and staffing adjustments

The Pratt County Board of County Commissioners voted June 2 to approve the purchase of 12 tires for two grass/brush trucks for Pratt County Fire & Rescue at a combined cost of $2,577.66, citing fleet needs and vendor fleet discounts.

Bill Hampton, Pratt County Fire and Rescue, presented the request and told commissioners that the tires are available through Cooper Tire at a fleet price. Hampton said the two dually trucks require six tires each and that buying the tires at the quoted price was reasonable and within procurement expectations. A motion to purchase the tires passed by voice vote, 3-0.

Hampton also told the board he expects to leave his chief position in July and discussed succession and pay adjustments he proposed, saying he would be willing to reduce his own pay modestly to increase compensation for officers and training officers. Commissioners noted that a formal letter of intent would be needed to trigger personnel processes; no personnel action beyond the tire purchase was taken at the meeting.

The county will proceed with tire procurement and continued discussions about leadership transition and pay allocations once an official notice or letter from the chief is received.