Jupiter council approves using CDBG funds to buy brush truck for Synquets-area fire station

The Jupiter Town Council voted to approve use of Community Development Block Grant funds to buy a brush truck and related equipment for the new Synquets-area fire station and to outfit that station with protective gear.

The approval moves previously unspent CDBG money toward public-safety equipment after town staff said a federally mandated spending deadline left them with limited options. Satu Oksanen with Neighborhood Services told the council the town receives about $250,000–$300,000 annually through the CDBG program and that roughly $100,000 became available after design work for an unrelated project was completed in-house.

“CDBG is a federal grant, and we are lucky to receive about now $300,000 annually,” Oksanen said during the council discussion, explaining the program’s purpose and the source of the funds. She told councilors the town calculated that 24% of the station’s service area meets HUD’s low- and moderate-income criteria, and that percentage was applied to the eligible portion of the equipment purchase.

Deputy Chief of Logistics Kevin Martin explained the timing and operational rationale for the truck: “We were able to secure this brush truck, at 2025 prices. We don't have to wait till 2028, 2029. They're holding it for us. We're ready to purchase it along with all the equipment needed, to function a full brush truck.” Martin said the vehicle could be available within a month and that traditionally there are long wait times for such apparatus.

Town staff said the town purchases the equipment up front and then requests reimbursement through the CDBG process; Oksanen noted the federal review and reimbursement requirements. Oksanen also told councilors the federal rule includes an annual review and that the town faced an August 2 expenditure deadline for older line items.

Councilors placed the item on the consent agenda for approval after Q&A with staff. The motion passed; council members signaled unanimous approval on the record. The minutes and the meeting audio do not record individual roll-call votes for this item.

The approved purchase also includes self-contained breathing apparatus and other protective equipment that will be housed at the Synquets-area station, officials said. Fire staff said the station’s location was selected using prior consultant data showing higher call volumes for the area designated to receive the brush truck.

Background: The CDBG program is administered at the federal level by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and provides communities funding for activities that benefit low- and moderate-income residents. Jupiter has operated its own CDBG program since 2012 and staff said the town typically budgets several projects each year against the grant allocation.

Next steps: With council approval, staff said they will finalize the purchase and proceed with procurement and reimbursement paperwork under the CDBG grant agreement.