Caldwell council ratifies ARPA‑funded purchases for fire and police: squads, vehicles, training and equipment
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Summary
Using returned ARPA funds, the council unanimously approved a package of public‑safety purchases including a Type‑6 squad, consulting services, vehicles and a modular joint training facility; purchases total several hundred thousand dollars and are intended to be funded from ARPA revenue returned from an ITD project.
The Caldwell City Council unanimously approved a series of resolutions ratifying use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to purchase vehicles, training equipment and consulting services for the fire and police departments during its Jan. 6 meeting.
Background: Council described a recent refund of approximately $1.8 million from the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) — ARPA project money that came in under budget — with the caveat funds had to be spent by Dec. 31. Council and staff said departments coordinated to propose uses before the deadline.
Items ratified (summaries of council action and staff presentations):
- Ford F‑550 Type‑6 squad (called an “Extreme” squad in the packet): Council approved ratification of ARPA funding to purchase a replacement Type‑6 squad to retire a 2001 vehicle whose repair costs exceed value. Deputy Chief Matt Shoop said the squad is used for brush/grass/wildland fires and lower‑acuity medical and smaller fire calls to keep larger apparatus available. (Approved unanimously.)
- Emergency Services Consulting (ESCI) services: Council approved ARPA funding to hire Emergency Services Consulting, Inc. for a package that staff described as community‑risk reduction analysis, fire station location analysis, standards of cover update (superseding 2012/2018 versions) and a strategic plan. Deputy Chief Brian Daniels and Deputy Chief Alan Perry said the contract is a one‑time project while the statistical mapping service will replace an existing subscription (MySidewalks) with an estimated annual cost cited in staff remarks. (Approved unanimously.)
- Chevrolet Silverado for logistics (fire): Council ratified ARPA purchase of a Silverado for the fire department’s logistics division and indicated the vehicle replaces a 2015 Ford F‑150 slated for surplus; staff said no net increase to fleet size once the older vehicle is surplused. The agenda amount was stated as $56,539; during the motion a different figure ($56,593) was spoken on the record. (Approved unanimously; see clarifying note below.)
- Upfitting and outfitting a Ford Explorer for a division chief: Council ratified ARPA funds for upfitting (lighting, radios, sirens and related equipment) for a new division‑chief vehicle that will enter service for a position starting Feb. 3. (Approved unanimously.)
- Mats for an arrest‑and‑control (mat) room: Council approved approximately $10,503.72 to purchase wall and floor mats for a mat room at the planned Public Safety Training Center; the purchase supports after‑hours ARCON classes for officers. (Approved unanimously.)
- Armored rescue vehicle (Lenco/"BearCat"): Council ratified purchase of a Landco BearCat armored rescue vehicle for $419,445; police presenters said the BearCat is better suited to civilian tactical deployments than older military surplus MRAPs, is quieter and more maneuverable, and could replace one of the older armored units. Staff said they expect to remove one of the existing vehicles from service. (Approved unanimously.)
- Two police drones (Bridle/Lemur 2 model): Council ratified purchase of two drones (combined about $40,499.10) to support tactical deployments and command situational awareness; presenters displayed video illustrating drone use in tactical operations. (Approved unanimously.)
- Joint Police‑Fire Public Safety Training Building (modular units): Council approved $787,707 to purchase modular classroom and mat‑room units to create a Public Safety Training Center adjacent to the proposed training grounds; staff described classrooms, offices, restrooms and the mat room for arrest‑and‑control training and said impact fees will fund site work. Councilors asked about future rental to outside agencies; staff said use by other agencies could be accommodated under a use contract and could potentially generate revenue. (Approved unanimously.)
Council discussion and clarifying details: staff emphasized several items replace previously budgeted purchases or subscriptions (e.g., consulting/statistics subscription replacement), or replace older fleet vehicles scheduled for surplus. Multiple councilors asked whether items were one‑time purchases or would add ongoing costs; staff said some items replace existing subscriptions or vehicles and would not add recurring general‑fund obligations beyond standard maintenance. The police and fire chiefs repeatedly framed the purchases as safety and training investments.
Votes and next steps: each ratification was moved, seconded and approved by unanimous vote. Departments will proceed with procurement and deployment consistent with municipal purchasing rules and the staff‑presented scopes.
Clarifying note: the Silverado purchase amount appeared as $56,539 in the staff presentation but the motion quoted $56,593; the transcript records both figures. The article reports both values and notes the discrepancy; the city clerk’s agenda and contract documents should be used as the final authoritative dollar amount.
