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North Augusta council authorizes purchase of aerial and ladder apparatus; funding through Capital Projects Sales Tax
Summary
Council approved buying a used aerial apparatus and contracts to acquire two ladder trucks and a pumper; purchases will be covered by Capital Projects sales tax funds and the city plans procurement via cooperative purchasing agreements.
The North Augusta City Council unanimously approved two resolutions authorizing the city to acquire firefighting apparatus: a used aerial apparatus from a local volunteer fire department and contracts to purchase two ladder trucks and one pumper.
City staff said the used aerial apparatus is intended as an interim replacement until new apparatus purchased with Capital Projects Sales Tax 5 (CPST 5) funds are delivered. "This is the bridge plan, resolution, which is to buy a used, fire apparatus from a local Aiken County volunteer fire department that we have relationships with," a city staff member said during the meeting. The staff memo referenced replacing a 1981 ladder truck and capped the capital projects fund expenditure at $145,000 for the used purchase.
On the larger apparatus purchase, staff explained the funding mechanism will be Capital Projects Sales Tax 5 collections, which begin next year, and that the city is contracting now because of long manufacturer lead times. "We will not be making any payments on this until after the CPST 5 collection period begins," the staff member said. Staff also said the city will use a cooperative purchasing agreement (HGACBuy) for procurement rather than issuing a traditional three-bid solicitation.
Fire Chief Johnson described technical features of one apparatus the council reviewed, saying, "The first truck that we went over, the 107 foot, Pierce aerial apparatus, is a stick and it's specially built to have a single axle, so it has a shorter wheelbase so that it can get in and around those tighter spaces." The chief said the apparatus will be stationed at Fire Station 1 to serve both tight downtown areas and commercial districts.
Council members asked about delivery timelines and payment timing. Staff said lead times vary by apparatus and estimated a three- to five-year wait for some rigs. Council will later decide whether to make early payments to realize potential savings or wait to pay upon delivery; staff said additional capital planning would inform that choice.
Votes at a glance
- Resolution 2025-13 — Authorize purchase of a used aerial truck (bridge purchase). Outcome: approved (unanimous). Funding: Capital projects fund, not to exceed $145,000. Mover/Seconder: not specified in the record.
- Resolution 2025-14 — Authorize purchase of two ladder trucks and one pumper using Capital Projects Sales Tax 5 funding and procurement via cooperative purchasing agreement (HGACBuy). Outcome: approved (unanimous). Mover/Seconder: not specified in the record.
Procurement and fiscal notes: staff said the apparatus purchases will proceed through HGACBuy, a cooperative purchasing agreement the city uses based on municipal association membership. Staff also emphasized the council can choose later whether to pay early or upon delivery, and that early payment carries vendor risk. The council recorded unanimous approval for both resolutions.
