Whiteland council approves $1.46 million bond package to fund fire engine repairs, delays ladder purchase

The Whiteland Town Council voted 4-0 Tuesday to approve a bond ordinance and an appropriation not to exceed $1,460,000 to fund fire department capital needs, including engine repairs and a lease payment for a replacement engine.

Council members and the town's fire chief extensively debated whether to repair a 24-year-old ladder truck, buy a used demo ladder, or bond for a new ladder and equipment. Fire Chief Eric Funkhouser recommended that the town "replace the engine" and acquire a ladder on a bond while removing staff vehicles from consideration. "From a fire protection standpoint, you want an engine and you want a ladder in this town," Funkhouser said. He advised against spending roughly $90,000 to repair the existing 24-year-old ladder truck.

The debate centered on three package options prepared by the town's financial advisor (referred to in the meeting as Adam): (1) smaller purchases; (2) an intermediate option (2B) that would include staff vehicle replacements and engine lease payments; and (3) a larger package to purchase a ladder truck and equipment outright. Funkhouser said option 3 would restore the department's capital needs but acknowledged it would push the fire protection…