EMA requests new light tower, discusses parking-lot paving and donated funds for exercises

5788887 · September 12, 2025

Loading...

AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

The county’s emergency management director requested funding for a new towable light tower (about $20,000 total with a $7,500 federal reimbursement line), presented a $46,000 quote for paving a parking area and reviewed Fund 67 donation balances that will be used for a full-scale emergency exercise; committee discussed timing and funding sources.

The LaSalle County Emergency Management Agency presented equipment and donation-account items to the Finance and TIF Committee on Sept. 9, including a planned purchase of a towable light tower and a proposal for paving a department parking area.

EMA staff reported an equipment increase of $12,500 in the general fund budget and an additional $7,500 in a federal reimbursement line for the purchase. The presenter said the state-bid price and vendor research identified United Rentals as the procurement source and that total replacement cost would be roughly $20,000, with $7,500 expected to be reimbursed by grant funds when available.

On the parking lot, EMA reported a vendor quote of about $46,000 to pave the rear parking area behind the emergency building. The presenter suggested budgeting $60,000 to allow for price increases and discussed coordinating with the highway department to allow the surface to settle through a winter freeze–thaw cycle before paving; several committee members recommended postponing paving until next fall and putting funds into the county’s capital-improvement fund to allow for highway review, rebidding and possible bundling with other projects.

Separately, the EMA reported Fund 67 (donations) holds about $45,003.55 and includes disaster-recovery funds and donations used to support volunteer expenses and a planned full-scale exercise. The committee was told that the full-scale exercise is required periodically by the state and that LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Committee) sponsorship and industry donations typically fund the exercise; EMA staff said the remaining Fund 67 balance will be used to cover exercise and disaster-related needs as appropriate.

No final committee action was taken on the light tower or paving at the Sept. 9 meeting; EMA staff said they would pursue grant reimbursement where applicable and return with bid documents and scheduling details.