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Speedway council authorizes purchase of 75-foot Pierce aerial fire apparatus
Summary
The Speedway Town Council approved Resolution 2025-09 to authorize purchase of a Pierce Velocity 75-foot aerial apparatus at a contract price of $1,688,900, allowing limited design changes and including a cancellation window a year before delivery.
The Speedway Town Council on June 23 approved Resolution 2025-09 authorizing the special purchase of a Pierce Velocity 75-foot aerial fire apparatus for the Speedway Fire Department at a contract price of $1,688,900.
The purchase authorizes three documents: the purchase agreement, a participation agreement tied to Sourcewell (a statewide cooperative purchasing program), and related financing documents. Town Manager Grant Kleinhines said the vehicle will not arrive for about four years and the town will finance the purchase closer to delivery. "We will then do financing in a couple of years," Kleinhines said.
The resolution, as approved, also grants the town manager and the clerk-treasurer authority to approve product specification changes up to $20,000. Councilor Sarah Gardner moved the resolution and President Nick Sturgeon seconded; the measure passed 4-0.
Councilors and staff explained the operational and insurance rationale for the apparatus. Kleinhines told the council the useful life of the type of vehicle is "15 to 20 years." Town Attorney Ted Nolting noted the contract includes an option to cancel within a year of delivery at no cost, which he said protects future councils from being bound by a four-year commitment.
Councilors said the truck is intended to maintain response capability and protect the town's ISO rating, which affects homeowner and business insurance. Kleinhines said the ladder is needed to serve large industrial and manufacturing facilities in Speedway and to respond to taller structures and apartment complexes.
Officials also discussed cost trends. President Nick Sturgeon said delaying purchase further likely would increase the price because of tariffs and supply pressures; he estimated costs could rise "somewhere in the 20 to 30% range" if postponed.
The council's motion authorizes placing the order now, accepting the longer delivery timeline, and preserving options on final specifications and cancellation. Delivery, financing and any design changes will be handled under the authorities granted by the resolution.
