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Freestone County moves toward purchasing three tanker-pumpers and a rescue truck; commission hears financing plan
Summary
County staff presented quotes and financing options to purchase three tanker-pumper "hybrid" trucks and an ERSG rescue truck, discussed timing and options, and a motion was made and seconded to proceed pending final option selections and financing details.
Freestone County commissioners discussed quotes and a financing plan for purchasing three tanker-pumper hybrid apparatus and a separate ERSG rescue truck after presentations from fire department representatives and a vendor on the buy board.
Staff circulated quotes showing base prices and optional equipment. Speakers cited a range of numbers during discussion: a base-model tanker quote near $400,000, an averaged estimate of $408,000 for configured tankers, a higher estimate of roughly $430,000 per unit for other specifications, and a quote for an ERSG rescue truck with tools at $414,285. One county official said the county could finance the vehicles through an equipment financing vendor so that no out-of-pocket county funds would be required in the current fiscal year; commissioners discussed paying off one truck per future fiscal year.
A volunteer firefighter who spoke to the court emphasized the safety value of reliable apparatus: "You need reliable equipment," and advocated for a systematic replacement plan for aging engines and pumpers. County staff and commissioners discussed emissions-related upcoming mandates and supply-chain timing; a vendor representative said one of the three tankers could be available in 2025 and the others in a subsequent window, depending on production.
A commissioner moved, and another seconded, a motion described in the meeting as approval to purchase three tanker-pumpers (tanker pumpers/hybrid pumpers) and one rescue truck and to bring back final option costs for formal approval. The motion was seconded; the transcript does not record a roll-call vote or final tally. Staff said they would obtain financing quotes from Government Capital and other vendors, confirm final option pricing with the manufacturer, and return with purchase amounts and financing paperwork for the county to finalize the procurement.
