Monticello Fire Department seeks $600,000 from county toward $1.9 million ladder truck; commissioners to examine interlocal agreement

Representatives from the Monticello Fire Department requested county support of $600,000 toward the purchase of a $1.9 million ladder truck. The speaker (identified in the transcript as Doctor Sheffield) said the department’s current ladder truck is about 18 years old with an expected lifespan near 20 years and that it can take five years to receive a new, custom-built apparatus. Staff said they located a stock unit available in August that matches specifications and would reduce cost and lead time.

Sheffield said the new truck would serve a wide area (the county is roughly 505 square miles) and that Union Township and the city council had already pledged funds; the fire department asked the county to consider contributing $600,000 as a non-loan payment. Commissioners asked about financing and whether an interlocal agreement would be needed; county counsel was asked to draft or review an interlocal agreement and the county clerk/treasurer was engaged in early conversations about pre-appropriation of funds.

No formal county vote or funding commitment was made at the meeting; staff said a final vote would await legal documents (an interlocal agreement) and confirmation of funding sources. Sheffield said the vendor required an initial payment in July or August if the stock unit was to be secured.