Richmond approves $548,000 pumper purchase and secures seven‑year lease financing

The Richmond City Council authorized purchase and financing arrangements for a new fire pumper truck after staff warned of imminent price increases and long manufacturer lead times.

At the Jan. 11 meeting council approved the purchase of a Freightliner chassis and Rosenbauer base apparatus not to exceed $448,877 and authorized staff to manage sale of the old pumper. Staff warned of a 20‑day window to accept the purchase order before a price increase. Subsequent change orders added the final layout and loose equipment, bringing the total expected cost to $548,011 — within the $550,000 amount budgeted in FY22.

Because the vehicle will be financed, the council considered lease‑purchase proposals. After review and legal counsel advice, the city moved from an initial Wells Fargo proposal to a U.S. Bank seven‑year lease that locked a rate near 3.728% (if closed by the stated date). Council approved the financing documents and authorized the mayor to sign the lease ordinance.

Fire Chief Mark Sowder told council the apparatus is expected to take approximately six months to receive the chassis and about 18 months to complete construction. The city will sell the replaced apparatus on Purple Wave auction and will outfit the pumper with equipment purchased and approved separately.

The council’s votes were unanimous and included motions to authorize final equipment orders, sign sale/auction approvals for the old truck and enter lease financing agreements.