Council adopts capital transfers for fire and police; approves $350,000 for outside legal costs

On Feb. 10 the full council approved three adoption orders moving FY25 surplus revenue into capital and administrative accounts. The votes came after questions from councilors about vehicle life, procurement timelines and legal cost drivers.

A $1,230,000 transfer to fire and emergency services capital was adopted. Chief Jeffrey Bacon said the department planned to acquire a 2014 used pumper (listed at roughly $195,000) to serve as a ready reserve; he told the council the pumper’s mileage was about 44,000 and that it should be serviceable for more than five years. Bacon and finance staff also warned that lead times on new apparatus can approach multiple years and the department intends to maintain a one‑per‑year fleet replacement plan in its capital improvement plan.

The council also approved $656,000 to police capital for replacement cruisers and two motorcycles; Chief Furtado (police) and staff said the purchase will maintain existing fleet levels and replace units damaged or past useful life. Finally, the council adopted a $350,000 transfer to Administrative Services to cover near‑term legal spending. Alan Rumsey, Corporation Counsel, told councilors that two police‑involved shooting cases had driven much of the outside‑counsel expense and that discovery and expert work had created a concentrated near‑term cost burden.

All three orders were adopted on voice votes with the ayes prevailing.