Meridian approves $1.87 million budget amendment to replace aging ladder truck

Meridian — The Meridian City Council on May 13 approved a $1,870,000 budget amendment to buy a replacement ladder truck for the Meridian Fire Department after staff described repeated mechanical failures and extended out-of-service time for the department’s reserve apparatus.

Division Chief of Logistics Josh Jansen framed the request to the council, saying the apparatus known in the department as Truck 36 has “exceeded its service life” and had become unreliable despite repeated repairs. Jansen said vendors that service the vehicle advised that future repairs would be temporary and would not restore long-term reliability. “Starfleet said any future repairs would be temporary at best and would not restore liability, reliability, or extend the overall lifespan meaningfully,” Jansen said, and he reported vendor estimates that a full engine rebuild would cost roughly $45,000.

City staff and the fire department presented cost and operational data to justify an immediate purchase rather than further repairs or…