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Commissioners approve Mount Mitchell Fire Department’s apparatus purchase request and written agreement
Summary
The board approved a written agreement allowing Mount Mitchell Fire Department to pursue financing and a replacement engine, after staff described response-time improvements and vehicle age concerns; the motion passed 3-0.
The Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners approved a written agreement permitting Mount Mitchell Fire Department to proceed with plans for a replacement fire engine and related financing steps.
County staff said the contract requires departments to get county approval for apparatus purchases over $50,000; Mount Mitchell presented operational reasons for the new engine, including an 18-year-old lead engine and a 27-year-old second engine. Chief Harrington and department representatives told the board the 1998 vehicle required frequent and time-consuming repairs — one recent repair cost about $13,000 and required six months to source parts because of the truck’s age.
County commissioners asked about response times and use of other units. Mount Mitchell’s representative said the department has recently improved reliability and, in the past six months, “we've only missed two calls.” The department also confirmed frequent use of squad 410.
Staff described the requested replacement as a 2025 Fouts Brothers engine on a spec chassis with a custom bed; lead time for this order was described as expected by the end of the year. The board voted 3-0 to approve the written agreement allowing the purchase process to proceed.
