Yankton commission approves $874,980 fire engine purchase; mayor abstains

The Yankton City Commission on Aug. 25 approved the purchase of a custom E1 fire engine from North Central Emergency Vehicles for $874,980 through the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing program.

The approval came after discussion about timing of payment, equipment lifecycle, call-volume changes and vehicle color. Mayor Villanueva and one commissioner abstained from the final vote; the motion passed on roll call.

Commission discussion focused first on payment timing and contract terms. Finance Officer Yardley said, according to the contract, payment is not due until the apparatus arrives. City Attorney Dan Turner confirmed the city had earlier been told upfront payment might be required but that Sourcewell clarified payment on delivery is acceptable.

Chief Linky explained operational reasons for replacing the engine, saying changes in department practice and response profiles had increased apparatus responses. "Past practice was for apparatus to either not respond or for volunteers to go to the station and ask what apparatus should be taken. The culture that we are developing is one of decisiveness," Linky said, and added that response profiles for incidents such as gas leaks and vehicle accidents now receive a full response. Chief Linky said the department recorded about 14 apparatus responses in 2022 and 2023 but has seen about 45 so far this year because volunteers now go to the station and ride the apparatus rather than asking whether to respond.

Commissioners and the chief also discussed long-term replacement cycles and rising equipment costs. Linky noted the engine being replaced was bought in 2005 and that municipal apparatus prices have risen sharply in recent years: "An ambulance that used to be $80,000 is now $450,000," he said. He and other commissioners warned the city should plan for higher future replacement costs for engines and ladder trucks.

Commissioner Brunick asked about changing the apparatus color from the department's current lime-yellow to red. Chief Linky said volunteers voted 24 to 11 in favor of red and framed the change as a tradition the volunteers wanted to restore; volunteers also said modern visibility studies and local preference factored into the choice. Volunteer firefighter Brian Frick spoke in favor of new apparatus and described operational and equipment improvements included in the specifications, such as hose and ladder placement that improve on-scene efficiency.

Commissioners also asked about resale value for the soon-to-be-retired engine; Chief Linky said recent market checks ranged from about $65,000 to $80,000 for comparable used rigs. Staff noted the $874,980 price is based on specifications worked out with North Central and that the Sourcewell contract provides the vendor and pricing.

City Manager Leon said the city is a Sourcewell cooperative member and summarized how cooperative contracts work: Sourcewell conducts a competitive procurement and awards contracts municipalities may use; South Dakota law cited in the discussion was SDCL 5-18A-22, which allows purchasing off a competitively awarded contract.

Mayor Villanueva disclosed that she serves on the fire department and said she would abstain from voting for ethics reasons. One other commissioner also said they have a close relation to the department and opted to abstain; that commissioner said they had checked with the city attorney and were permitted to vote but abstained in the interest of transparency. The roll-call vote recorded the majority of commissioners voting aye and two abstentions; the motion passed.

The memorandum before the commission was numbered 25-154 and recommended authorization to purchase the custom E1 apparatus through Sourcewell. The commission approved the recommendation and staff will proceed with the purchase under the Sourcewell contract terms.

No amendment to the motion was adopted and no additional funding transfer was required at the meeting. Staff said, however, that change orders or emergent work could alter final cost only if such orders arise after the contract is in place.

Votes at the meeting were taken by roll call. Those recorded as voting "aye" during the motion included Commissioners Benson, Burch, Brunick, Sarta, Conkling, Hanoff and Spencer. Mayor Villanueva and one commissioner abstained from the vote. The commission recorded the motion as passed.