Council authorizes $1.108 million purchase contract for 2029 Pierce pumper; approves intergovernmental maintenance agreement with Milwaukee

The Common Council on March 4 authorized the city to enter a purchase contract with Reliant Fire Apparatus Inc. for a 2029 Pierce pumper in the amount of $1,108,120 and adopted a separate resolution to participate in an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with the City of Milwaukee for repair and maintenance of fire, rescue and EMS equipment.

Fire Chief Mike Kresick told the council the purchase was included in the 2025 CIP and is intended to replace a 2006 model Pierce pumper. He said the department's apparatus committee reviewed specifications and recommended replicating the previously specified Pierce Enforcer chassis with a Cummins X‑15 motor and top‑mount pump, with only minor specification changes required by updated NFPA standards and law.

Chief Kresick asked the council to approve the purchase agreement and said the order will be placed soon; the vehicle delivery window is expected in 2029. Finance staff cautioned against using the vendor's prepayment option. Deputy Finance Officer Max Gagan said the math did not favor prepayment because issuing debt now to prepay while incurring several years of interest would not be cost‑effective given current cash returns and interest assumptions.

Why it matters Apparatus lead times in the industry have lengthened; Kresick said delivery windows have increased from about 36–40 months to longer lead times and that NFPA standard updates could occur during the build period. The new intergovernmental agreement with the Milwaukee Fire Department is intended to expand repair options and reduce downtime by allowing the city to use another specialized shop when in‑house or DPW capacity is insufficient.

Council action - Motion to execute a purchase contract with Reliant Fire Apparatus Inc. for a Pierce pumper in the amount of $1,108,120: adopted by roll call. - Motion to approve Resolution No. 12562‑03425 (as recorded) for an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with the City of Milwaukee for repair and maintenance of fire rescue and EMS equipment: adopted by roll call.

Implementation notes The purchase is budgeted in the 2025 CIP; staff intends to finance the purchase at delivery rather than prepay. The intergovernmental agreement expands the city's vendor pool for specialized repairs and is intended to help maintain readiness while apparatus procurement timelines remain long.

Sources: Remarks by Fire Chief Mike Kresick and Deputy Finance Officer Max Gagan; council motions and roll calls, March 4, 2025.