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Council accepts $194,000 Assistance to Firefighters grant; approves related 2025 budget amendment
Summary
The Tonganoxie City Council unanimously accepted a federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant to replace the fire department's breathing apparatus and approved a budget amendment to allow the purchase; the council also approved routine minutes and bill payments during the same meeting.
The Tonganoxie City Council on Oct. 6 unanimously accepted a fiscal year 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant and approved a related 2025 budget amendment to allow purchase of breathing apparatus for the fire department.
City Manager George Brakovich introduced the item and asked Fire Chief Sean Simmelman to describe the equipment. "These are the packs that everybody in the county uses; this way when we run mutual aid calls when they come into our city," Simmelman said, adding that the department’s existing packs are nine years old and that the grant covers the majority of a roughly $200,000 purchase. Brakovich and Simmelman credited prior grant work and assistance from Lexipol and staff members who helped assemble the application.
Councilmember Dale moved to approve acceptance of the grant award; Councilmember Stevens seconded. Mayor David Fries called for the vote: "All in favor, say aye." The motion carried.
Because the purchase could occur in 2025, staff also presented a budget amendment to the fire equipment fund to provide spending authority should the acquisition postdate fiscal year 2024. Councilmember McCutcheon moved to approve the 2025 budget amendments to the fire equipment fund as presented and to direct staff to complete necessary filing steps; a second was offered and the motion carried unanimously.
At the same meeting the council also approved two routine items: the minutes from the regular meeting and a special meeting on Sept. 18, 2025, and the consent agenda listing bill payments for the prior period. The council approved the minutes by motion (moved by Councilmember McCutcheon, seconded by Councilmember Partridge) and approved the consent agenda (moved by Councilmember Stevens, seconded by Councilmember Dale); both motions carried without recorded opposition.
The fire chief and city manager described the grant as a cost-saving outcome for the city and noted staff are coordinating the purchase timeline and any required spending authority.
