Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Fire Equipment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Whitefish council authorizes procurement of $1.88 million aerial ladder truck
Summary
The City Council authorized staff to procure an aerial ladder truck from Pierce Manufacturing through the Sourcewell cooperative program at an estimated price of $1,883,000, with an expected 39–44 month delivery time and financing to include an intercap loan and an estimated 1.5 mills levy starting FY27.
The Whitefish City Council voted to authorize the city manager to procure an aerial ladder truck from Pierce Manufacturing through the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing program, at a quoted price of $1,883,000.565 and an expected delivery timeline of 39 to 44 months.
The move follows a staff recommendation that the apparatus be acquired through Sourcewell to avoid duplicating a competitive bid and to secure national pricing and dealer support. “By using Sourcewell, the city avoids duplicating the lengthy bidding process, secures nationally leveraged pricing, ensures compliance with procurement law, and accelerates our order placement during a period of extended industry lead times,” Fire Chief Hadley said.
The department emphasized the operational gap: Whitefish currently operates without a ladder truck, limiting aerial firefighting and rescue capabilities as multi-story development increases. Chief Hadley told council that ladder apparatus provide elevated rescues, rooftop ventilation and large elevated master streams, and that Pierce ranked highly in Sourcewell contracts for value, service network and resale.
City staff said the purchase will be financed using the Montana Board of Investments intercap loan program and mills authorized under state law. City staff and Chief Hadley said the loan application and drawdown will occur late in the build cycle; the city expects to begin payments near delivery. Dana (city manager) explained that because of carryover mill risks the city may levy an additional estimated 1.5 mills at this year’s taxable value beginning in fiscal year 2027 to set aside a capital fund that could reduce the financed amount. Staff estimated that would reduce the loan principal to about $1.4 million.
Councilmembers asked about timing and payments; staff said the loan would be applied for in the final months of the build and that the city does not expect to pay the full amount until near delivery. The council moved and approved the authorization to proceed; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
The council previously approved the capital appropriation for the truck in an earlier action; this vote authorized the procurement contract and allowed the city manager to sign contract documents.
The procurement will obligate future appropriations for debt service or cash purchases, and staff said they will include details in financial planning and the SAF report for the loan.
