Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Equipment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves purchase of SCBA units and records $195,000 in grant revenue for future fire equipment
Summary
The council approved buying new SCBA breathing apparatuses using a 50% reimbursable ARPA grant and adopted a budget amendment to record $195,000 in CIP revenue for fire equipment purchases.
The council approved purchase of MSA G1 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units from Casco Industries at state bid pricing and also passed a budget amendment to record grant revenue and make the equipment purchases.
Staff explained the decision as a safety and readiness issue: the current packs were purchased in 2014 and have reached the manufacturer's recommended 10-year service life, parts are discontinued for older models, and the department has taken units out of service for safety. The purchase price approved by council was $207,499; half of the cost is reimbursable under an ARPA grant that the department was awarded. Council also approved Budget Amendment 2025-07 to supplement the CIP fund by $195,000 to reflect the grant and planned equipment purchases, with staff noting remaining equipment purchases to be brought to council later.
Council discussed the accounting process for reimbursable grants: staff explained the city budgets the grant revenue into the CIP when approved, issues purchase orders, makes the purchases and then submits documentation for reimbursement, which is consistent with prior grant-funded purchases such as ambulance equipment.
The motion to approve the purchase and the budget amendment passed unanimously. Staff will issue purchase orders and submit required grant reimbursement reports in accordance with grant timelines; the grant period runs through 2026, staff said.
