The City Council on a 4-0 vote approved Resolution 2025-145 authorizing purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) air packs for the fire department under a reimbursable grant. Council Member John West moved the resolution; Council Member Mike Wiley seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Fire Chief said the department had been awarded a reimbursable grant to replace air packs but warned the vendor had announced an upcoming price increase that could add about $60,000 to the purchase. "The increase is supposed to be November 1," the Fire Chief said. "The vendor said they will wait to increase it, but did not say how much time. So is that a couple days, a week, a month, who knows?"

Staff explained the grant is reimbursable, so the city would need to purchase the packs up front and submit for reimbursement once federal offices reopen. The chief said the quote the city holds is valid through Nov. 1; if the city signs before that date it would receive the lower price. The chief also noted the vendor does not keep the full order in stock and would procure the equipment after order placement.

Council members asked about the risk of purchasing before reimbursement arrives. The chief said he believed the award is final but that the timing of reimbursement is uncertain because of the federal office closure. He added the new packs have an expected service life of 15 years and that the grant allows two years to complete the purchase.

Council also authorized the resolution’s additional language allowing the city to sell or otherwise dispose of the old packs as part of the purchase approval. Council members noted the department currently has usable air packs and that the decision was driven by a multi-year effort to secure grant funding.

Outcome: Motion to approve Resolution 2025-145 passed 4-0. The council’s vote does not change that reimbursement timing remains subject to federal processes.