The Neenah council on Aug. 6 reported actions from the Neenah‑Menasha Fire Rescue joint finance and personnel committee that the councils of Neenah and Menasha recommended and approved earlier in committee. Council President Borchard moved to accept a $200,000 state appropriation for a training tower; that motion passed 9 to 0. The committee also recommended entering a contractual order with Pierce Manufacturing through the Sourcewell consortium to replace Engine 35, authorizing a total not‑to‑exceed cost of $1,250,000; that measure passed 9 to 0.

Council members were told the apparatus purchase includes an advance‑payment discount and related equipment, and finance directors for both cities were authorized to review financing options to select the most advantageous approach for each city. The committee’s report cites a discounted advance payment of $227,854 included in the equipment package; the committee reported the contract and financing arrangements anticipate final delivery in 2029.

The joint committee also recommended approval of the proposed 2026 budget formula for the joint department, setting Neenah’s share at 60.82 percent and Menasha’s share at 39.18 percent; the council report stated that recommendation passed 9 to 0.

What was decided: acceptance of the $200,000 state appropriation for the training tower (motion approved), authorization to enter a contract/order with Pierce Manufacturing for replacement apparatus with total costs not to exceed $1,250,000 and authorization for finance directors to pursue financing, and approval of the 2026 cost‑share formula at 60.82/39.18. These items were presented as committee recommendations and recorded as passing unanimous 9–0 votes in the meeting report.

What wasn’t decided at the Aug. 6 council meeting: the transcript does not record a final contract signing or financing instrument being executed; staff were authorized to pursue financing and will return with final documents as required by each city’s procurement and approval processes.

Why it matters: the apparatus purchase and training‑tower funding will affect long‑term capital commitments for the joint department and shape the department’s operational readiness; the budget formula sets how 2026 operational costs will be split between the two cities.

Relevant numbers and timing cited in committee: state appropriation for the training tower — $200,000; apparatus total not to exceed — $1,250,000 (includes a discounted advance payment of $227,854); anticipated final apparatus delivery — 2029. Council President Borchard said the cities were “very grateful for this support” in reference to the state appropriation.

Next steps: finance directors from Neenah and Menasha will evaluate financing options for the apparatus purchase and staff will return with necessary contract and financing approvals for each city as required.