The Lynn Haven City Commission approved the purchase of a custom fire engine for a total of $980,000, authorizing staff to issue a purchase order while the city awaits reimbursement from an approved state appropriation.

Interim City Manager Chris Lightfoot told the commission the truck’s list price was $1,005,000 and the vendor agreed to a $25,000 trade-in allowance for the city’s 2010 engine, making the net purchase price $980,000. “Typically, with any appropriations we've done, we've gotten reimbursements within 90 days. It's usually pretty quick,” Lightfoot said when asked how long reimbursements take.

Why it matters: Fire Chief Park Johnson and staff described aging apparatus across the department. Chief Johnson said the engine being replaced, a 2010 pumper, was experiencing mechanical problems and frequent downtime; the new engine will carry 1,000 gallons of water and provide longer on-scene operation. Chief Johnson also described the city’s fleet as “not good” and said purchases are investments to maintain response capability and ISO ratings.

Funding and process: staff said the $980,000 appropriation was secured through legislative channels and is included as both revenue and expenditure in the FY26 budget; staff said they do not anticipate paying the full amount out of pocket in FY25. The commission voted to approve the purchase, with a unanimous roll call (Commissioners Ward, Purnell, Tender, Peebles and Mayor Aaron Nelson voted yes).

Ending: The chief described the purchase as part of a multi-year effort to modernize an aging fleet; staff will submit the reimbursement request to the legislative appropriation after purchase.