Fire chief outlines $85,000 trade-in offer and $40,000 equipment gap for new ladder truck

Acting Fire Chief Harry reported that during preconstruction talks with the manufacturer Pierce the topic of a trade-in came up and the vendor offered $85,000 as a trade-in credit or check for the city's old ladder truck. Chief Harry said crews will receive a new ladder truck in early August and emphasized the budgetary value of the trade-in.

Chief Harry said the department identified roughly $40,000 of unbudgeted rescue equipment needed to outfit the new apparatus. He outlined a staff recommendation to direct $35,000 of the funds to the fire-equipment account and $50,000 to a general fund reserve if the money is received in cash; staff said if the vendor issues a credit the department can use special funds identified in the proposed budget. "I think this $85,000 is a fabulous offer," the chief said, urging council to weigh the immediate availability of funds and equipment needs. He later confirmed the vendor would deliver a check rather than only a credit.