Aransas Pass council favors buying fire vehicles and bunker gear with CO interest; budget amendment to follow
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Summary
Council reviewed $850,716 in interest from a $16 million certificate of obligation and, after debate, agreed to prioritize purchase of a new engine, brush truck and bunker gear over immediate street paving; staff will issue a purchase order and bring a budget amendment to the next meeting.
Mary, a city staff member, told the council that the Certificates of Obligation (approved Feb. 12, 2024, in the amount of $16 million) had produced accrued interest of $850,716 as of March 31. She presented two options for using accrued interest and bond proceeds: pay for several street-paving projects (estimated about $790,000 for four streets) or purchase fire-department equipment and personal protective equipment.
Mary said quotes obtained that day put a new fire engine at $960,000 and a brush truck at $265,000; the fire department requested two sets of bunker gear for personnel, cited in the presentation at roughly $204,000. The presenter noted the combined cost for an engine, brush truck and bunker gear would be about $1.4 million, which exceeds the accrued interest balance; she said the council could cover the remainder from the certificates of obligation principal if the council chose to proceed.
Fire-department representatives and councilmembers described mechanical and reliability issues with the existing engine truck: leaks, steering issues and other maintenance items that had caused reliability concerns and at least one period in January when the city used a loaner truck from a neighboring jurisdiction. The fire department said engine trucks typically have a 10-year service life and that the existing apparatus has reached an age and maintenance burden that make replacement appropriate.
Councilmembers debated whether to spend interest and bond funds on streets or on public-safety equipment. Several councilmembers prioritized firefighter safety and operational reliability. One councilmember said bunker gear was essential and suggested buying the protective equipment promptly. Staff told the council there were two trucks rolling off the line in September that could be ordered to avoid a 22-month lead time; the vendor quoted a Spartan‑built engine at the price listed in the staff packet.
After discussion the council reached a consensus to move forward with the fire purchases and protective gear now, to declare the current engine truck surplus and to issue a purchase order. City staff said they would issue the PO and return to the council at its next regular meeting with a budget amendment for formal approval. Councilmembers said street paving could be revisited in the budget process and that accrued interest will continue to accrue while the city completes procurement and sales of surplus equipment.
