The Fredericksburg City Council approved the purchase of a ladder truck for the fire department Sept. 9 at a contract price of $2,011,834, plus staff‑estimated loose equipment costs of about $350,000.

The fire chief (name not specified in the record) told the council the apparatus selected matched city needs and that the budget included $2,000,000 in the prior capital plan; the quoted purchase price exceeded that budget by roughly $11,834. The chief also said the truck has a four‑to‑five‑year delivery window and that the $350,000 in additional equipment — examples cited included rescue tools, nozzles, axes and self‑contained breathing apparatus — could be ordered closer to delivery to avoid shelf‑life issues.

The nut graf: the county participates in cost‑sharing for fire apparatus that serve county territory; staff said the county had been part of the original $2,000,000 approval and would share the incremental difference on the purchase price.

Council approved the purchase by motion and voice vote. The chief said the truck would also serve surrounding county areas, including under agreements with the Lady Bird Johnson Park and Stonewall; the council’s motion carried with no recorded opposition.

Staff flagged that the apparatus’ extended delivery schedule means budgeting for equipment procurement and potential replacement cycles should be planned in advance.