Sugar Creek Fire chief seeks county permission for debt service fund for two new pumpers

Sugar Creek Fire Chief Derek Scott told the Vigo County Council that Sugar Creek Fire Protection District is seeking county approval to create a debt service fund so it can complete lease financing for two new custom pump apparatus.

Attorney presenting the resolution said the step is required by the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) to allow the district to proceed with its lease financing proposal; the county's approval is a required local permission rather than a county appropriation. "This is not an appropriation of county tax dollars towards these assets. Rather, it's just a permission they have to seek through the DLGF before they can approve a lease financing acquisition as they are proposing," the presenter told the council.

Chief Scott described the district's transition from a primarily volunteer service to a paid department with nine paid members and said 18 years ago the district began using a debt service fund allowed by state accounting rules to finance apparatus rotation: "We are now now have 9 paid members, which now, which means most of my budget goes to salaries and benefits... 18 years ago, we started a debt service fund, which is allowed by the state board of accounts."

Council members asked about financing options. Chief Scott said the district often uses specialized leasing firms (he mentioned a Florida leasing company) because local banks do not always understand fire apparatus financing; Councilman Randy Gentry suggested the district also consider state programs such as the Indiana Bond Bank or State Treasurer financing, which might offer more favorable rates.

Ending: The council heard the district's request and questioned financing alternatives; the transcript does not record a final vote on the resolution within the provided excerpt.