Muskego approves purchase of Velocity pumper tanker after debate over price, specs and delivery delays

The Muskego City Common Council on May 13 approved Resolution 034-2025, authorizing the purchase of a Velocity pumper tanker for the fire department's Test Corners station after council members raised questions about the purchase agreement, price, engine choice and delivery timing.

Council members pressed for the purchase agreement to be produced before a vote; the council deferred briefly so the agreement could be reviewed and then returned to approve the purchase on a roll-call vote of 6-1.

Members and staff discussed contract specifics and procurement details before the final vote. An alderperson asked, "Can we see the purchase agreement?" and staff arranged for the agreement to be made available; one council member moved to defer until the document was reviewed. After discussion, the council returned to the item and conducted a roll-call vote that recorded six yes votes and one no vote, approving the resolution.

During debate council members focused on four main issues: the vehicle price compared with the amount budgeted, long lead times and delivery timing, the engine choice and warranty coverage. Council members noted the city's 2025 budget included $950,000 for the purchase, while staff said the vendor's original asking price had been roughly $1.4 million and that negotiations and specification changes brought the quoted price down to about $1.147 million.

Staff described the selected engine as a Paccar (Peterbilt/Kenworth) package rather than a Cummins; the Cummins option was described as an approximately $200,000 upgrade that the council and truck committee removed to reduce cost. Staff also said the contract lists a 49 to 52.5-month lead time from order to delivery, though the vendor represents delivered units using the model year in force at delivery (for example, a unit delivered in 2028 would be the 2028 model year). Staff noted the actual build takes about six months once the unit is in the production queue, but that manufacturers currently have multi-year backlogs for chassis and rigs.

Warranty and maintenance were discussed: the agreement specifies a one-year bumper-to-bumper warranty and staff said the Paccar engine has a manufacturer warranty; council members asked whether powertrain warranties extend beyond one year and whether training and support were included. Staff confirmed operator training is part of the purchase package.

Council members expressed concern about approving a capital purchase they felt might not match the specification they expected when the budget was set. One council member argued the committee removed nonessential options to reach a price closer to the budgeted amount; another recommended obtaining a second quote for transparency on large capital buys.

The council voted by roll call on Resolution 034-2025; the roll call recorded these votes: Alderman Wolf ' yes; Alderman Hamill ' yes; Alderman Decker ' yes; Alderman Bryce ' yes; Alderman Schrader ' no; Alderman Dulke ' yes; Alderman Madden ' yes. The tally was six in favor and one opposed, and the resolution was approved.

The council directed staff to circulate the purchase agreement to members before the end of the meeting when the item was first discussed; staff provided copies for review at the meeting. The purchase is assigned to the fire department for implementation and the contract includes delivery and warranty terms to be monitored by the city's finance and public safety staff.

The vote ends a months-long review by the truck committee and staff of vehicle specs and budget trade-offs; council members asked staff to share the delivered specification and to notify the mayor's office and the full council if any later changes to the contract or motor specification are negotiated.

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