Brookings council authorizes fire pickup, wastewater contract amendment and used greens mower; defers engine refurbishment

Brookings City Council on June 23 authorized three purchases and a contract amendment and deferred a separate engine-refurbishment item to a future meeting.

The council voted to approve the purchase of a Dodge pickup to replace the fire department's current command vehicle, authorized an amendment to the city's operations contract with Jacobs CH2M Hill for the wastewater and water treatment plants for the 2025'26 fiscal year, and approved purchase of a used greens mower for Salmon Run golf course. Council also moved the agenda item on a 2002 E1 engine refurbishment to a later meeting.

Why it matters: the purchases and the contract amendment affect frontline emergency response, utility operations and parks maintenance. The pickup and mower replace aging equipment; the Jacobs amendment continues outsourced operation of the wastewater and water plants, which city speakers said reduces staffing and regulatory risk.

Fire pickup: Chief McCray and Captain Watson asked the council to authorize purchase of a Dodge pickup from Roberson Motors for $43,126.50 and outfitting by Cascade Fire and Equipment for $20,803.54, with the finance director authorized to enter a financing agreement. Captain Watson said the new pickup "would replace the…