Muncie board approves $535,331 in claims, notes $16,311.57 fire-truck repair

The Muncie Board of Public Works and Safety approved $535,331 in claims at its Feb. 12 meeting, City Controller Craig Wright said.

Wright told the board the bill list included routine utility payments and recent vehicle repairs. He said the city’s monthly payment to Indiana Michigan Power for traffic signals and street lights is “always $40,000 or in that ballpark.” He also said one repair “was for a fire truck, paid to S and S Field Service for $16,311.57.” Wright added the street department’s new one-man patcher was repaired last week.

Wright described an exchange with the fire chief about the truck repair: the vendor initially recommended an expensive replacement, but the chief opted for targeted repairs that “was significantly less,” Wright said. He praised the chief’s work on managing costs.

The board voted to approve the claims after a motion was made and seconded; the motion carried with the board’s members voting aye.

The controller opened the meeting’s claims discussion to questions; one board member asked whether “professional services” on page 16 were grant writing, which Wright confirmed. No additional financial detail or vendor breakdowns were provided during the meeting.

Items approved on the claims list and other procurement details will appear in the board’s formal claims record and the city’s accounts payable files.

Ending: The board recorded the approval and moved on to new business, including several contract approvals later in the meeting.