Fire District 1 approves $98,405 thermal‑imaging camera purchase, publishes proposed 2027 levy notice

Sedgwick County’s governing body for Fire District No. 1 on July 9 approved a $98,405 purchase of thermal‑imaging cameras and established budget authority to pay for the equipment, then authorized publication of a proposed 2027 budget and a notice of intent to exceed the revenue‑neutral rate.

The board voted 5-0 to accept the Board of Bids and Contracts’ recommendation to buy the cameras from Weiss Fire and Safety Equipment and to establish a $98,405 draw from the Fire District Special Equipment Fund to complete the purchase. The board later voted, also 5-0, to publish a proposed Fire District budget that sets a maximum budget of $33,499,131 and an ad valorem tax levy of $25,438,662, equivalent to about 16.754 mills; staff public hearings are set for July 29 at 6 p.m. and Aug. 26 at 9 a.m., with budget adoption scheduled Aug. 26.

Lindsay Pro Russo, the fire district chief financial officer, said there is "a little bit more than $11,000,000 sitting in the Fire District Special Equipment Fund" and asked the board to authorize access to $98,405 to pay for the cameras. Pro Russo framed the fund as a restricted account the district uses for vehicles, equipment, buildings and related capital items and noted a roughly $5,000,000 transfer to the fund last year to support longer‑term planning.

Division Chief Clint Reed said the procurement lists several groupings of equipment because units were purchased at different times and have different trade‑in values; when replacement is complete, "they will all be the QXD Pros," he said. Fire Chief Doug Williams told the board the older EcoX cameras were low end and unreliable: "The EcoX were a low end camera when we bought them ... they were just pretty much a failure," and that the department needs the newer cameras for safety after issues surfaced during training and a Mayday event.

Commissioners asked whether the fund would be used for a planned training center; Pro Russo said the special equipment fund is the anticipated funding source for a fire district training facility and other capital needs. Board discussion also included ongoing conversations about consolidation and cooperation with partner cities and volunteer departments, and possible future legislative changes to the fire district’s governance.

The motions to approve the bid recommendation, to establish the $98,405 budget authority, and to authorize publication of the proposed budget were each approved by roll call, 5-0. After the votes the fire board adjourned and the county commission meeting reconvened.