Citrus County hires outside counsel to explore antitrust claims over fire‑truck prices

The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously July 14 to authorize local counsel to proceed with national law firms pursuing antitrust litigation that alleges anticompetitive conduct in the fire‑apparatus market.

Dale Scott, local counsel, told the board the litigation targets consolidation and conduct by manufacturers that together control an estimated 80% of the market. "There is some need to . . . get the documents signed, get the complaint filed in federal court," Scott said, warning that potential claims could be lost under four‑year statutes of limitations under the Sherman Act and the Clayton Act.

Scott said national lead counsel (identified in his materials) proposed a contingency‑fee arrangement requiring no out‑of‑pocket county spending; attorneys would be paid from any recovery at a rate Scott described as 25 percent. He said the firms already represent a large group of local governments and that the legal work would require specialized experts and economists.

Citrus County Fire Department leadership told the board the county has experienced sharp cost increases and long delivery times for vehicles and equipment. The fire chief said apparatus costs rose roughly 57 percent over the past five years and cited one engine that cost about $545,000 in 2021 and a more recent state‑bid purchase of the same type at $965,000; build times have stretched from about nine months in 2015 to as long as 33 months on recent orders.

Commissioner Jana Barrick moved to authorize the chairman to execute a professional services agreement with the proposed counsel and to have the county participate in the litigation; Commissioner Jeff Kennard seconded. The board approved the motion 5–0.

County Attorney Denise A. (read in the record) confirmed the retainer agreement is in the public record and noted staff and legal counsel would coordinate as needed. The board did not authorize any direct upfront legal expense by the county under the proposed contingency arrangement.

Next steps include finalizing agreements and, if the county participates, producing documents and coordinating with national counsel. Scott urged timely action to avoid statute‑of‑limitations exposure.

Votes at a glance: Motion to authorize execution of a professional services agreement and participate in litigation — approved 5–0.