Red Bank commission approves communications contract, fire station doors and utility truck

The Red Bank Board of Commissioners voted on May 5 to approve three resolutions authorizing a communications contract and equipment purchases, including capital work at Fire Station No. 2 and a utility pickup for facilities work.

The actions included a contract for a communications specialist for an amount not to exceed $11,600 per year, authorization to purchase four apparatus bay doors and associated hardware for Fire Station No. 2 at a contract price of $47,250, and approval to buy a 2026 Ford F-250 pickup with a special-purpose utility body not to exceed $59,143. The commission moved each item, the chair called the vote and each motion carried.

Why it matters: the bay-door purchase is intended to improve energy efficiency and reduce maintenance on aging doors at Fire Station No. 2, while the utility truck will replace an inoperable vehicle used by the facilities manager and allow that employee to carry and secure tools and equipment. City staff said both capital purchases will be funded from previously approved American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) facility-improvement allocations.

Director Tate described the bay-door need, saying the station’s existing doors are original and “not energy efficient” and that the selected vendor was the lowest responsive bid and a local company familiar with the doors. On the truck purchase, Tate said the facilities vehicle suffered an untimely mechanical failure, and staff determined expediting a replacement and using ARPA facility funds was an allowable and practical approach; the truck was procured under Tennessee statewide contract SWC-209-88764.

The communications specialist contract names Bridget Raper and caps annual compensation at $11,600 as amended during the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 26-1901 — Communications specialist contract (Bridget Raper), compensation capped at $11,600 per year: motion approved (moved by Commissioner Holmes; seconded by Commissioner Wilkinson; chair called the vote and the motion carried).

- Resolution 26-1902 — Purchase of four apparatus bay doors for Fire Station No. 2, $47,250, funded from ARPA facility-improvement funds: motion approved (moved by Vice Mayor Barry; seconded by Commissioner Fairbanks Harvey; chair called the vote and the motion carried).

- Resolution 26-1903 — Purchase of a 2026 Ford F-250 utility truck under Tennessee statewide contract SWC-209-88764, amount not to exceed $59,143, funded from ARPA facility-improvement funds: motion approved (moved by Commissioner Holmes; seconded by Commissioner Wilkinson; chair called the vote and the motion carried).

What’s next: city staff said the bay-door vendor will install the new doors and trolleys and the facilities division expects truck delivery in a matter of months; the FY27 budget first reading is scheduled for May 19 and staff will present details at a public budget town hall on May 12.