Council adopts Sheridan Fire Rescue master plan and authorizes $500,000 mineral‑royalty grant application for engine replacement

Sheridan City Council approved a long‑range master plan for Sheridan Fire Rescue and authorized staff to apply for a $500,000 mineral‑royalty grant (MRG) to offset the cost of replacing aging apparatus, the council decided on Feb. 3.

Master plan adoption: Fire Chief Gary Harnish presented the department’s master plan — a multi‑year guidance document the department and consultant Emergency Services Consulting International prepared after a nearly year‑long process. The plan’s long‑term recommendations include establishing “a long term staffing strategy to achieve a minimum effective response force of 9 firefighters daily,” developing an apparatus‑replacement plan, establishing funding for a training facility and studying optimal fire‑station locations. “The master plan will serve as the guiding document for the department's planning and budgeting,” Harnish told council.

Council discussion emphasized fiscal constraints and implementation sequencing. Councilors asked how the plan’s multi‑year recommendations would be phased given uncertain future revenues; staff emphasized the master plan is a planning guide and that specific, budgeted requests would return to council for approval. One councilor asked staff to present a short‑term implementation plan for what the department would pursue in the first year; staff said they would evaluate that request.

MRG grant for apparatus: Chief Harnish also asked the council to authorize submission of an MRG application for $500,000 toward the purchase of a replacement engine (the department’s two engines are 16 years old and rated fair/poor). Harnish said new engines have long lead times and the total replacement cost could reach $1.2–$1.3 million; the MRG program requires a 100% local match so the city would provide the balance. “The city will need to match grant funds a 100%,” Harnish said, adding the city may need to provide additional funds above the match for equipment and outfitting. The council authorized submission of the application and instructed staff that any award and associated agreement would be presented to council for approval prior to execution.

Council action and next steps: Council members voted to adopt the master plan (resolution 06‑25) and to authorize the MRG application (resolution 04‑25). Both votes were approved by the council; the chief said staff will return with specific budget requests if the department pursues apparatus procurement.

Context and constraints: Councilors and the chief discussed the department’s staffing history, station capacity and apparatus size constraints (the current station’s door headers limit some modern vehicles). Several councilors and the chief emphasized the plans aim to balance safety, fiscal responsibility and grant opportunities.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 06‑25 (Adopt Sheridan Fire Rescue long‑range master plan) — approved (voice vote). Resolution 04‑25 (Authorize submission of MRG application for $500,000 toward new fire apparatus) — approved (voice vote).