Council reviews reimbursement to staff for emergency-preparedness trailer purchase

Hooper City staff told the council that an emergency-preparedness trailer was acquired to store supplies and serve as a mobile command post, and that the staff member who purchased it should be reimbursed from city utility-tax reserves earmarked for emergency preparedness.

City staff described the trailer as about 26 feet long and outfitted with exterior generator hookups, interior inverter and 110-volt outlets, shelving and a breaker box. Staff said the trailer had been held by the purchaser and not titled to the city so the staff member did the purchase to secure the unit.

Council discussion summarized the purchase price and reimbursement amount in approximate terms: the seller's asking price was described as about $14,050 and the staff member's payment was described in the transcript as "12.05," which staff explained at the meeting as roughly $12,050; staff also said there were one-month insurance costs of about $22—$25 and possible mileage for pickup. The funds to reimburse the purchase were described as coming from a 5% reserve in the city's utility-tax fund.

The council expressed general support for acquiring a mobile emergency asset and for reimbursing the staff member, and asked staff to provide a formal motion or paperwork so the reimbursement can be processed. No formal recorded vote on reimbursement appears in the transcript.