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Council hears $1.9M ladder truck proposal; members flag long-term personnel costs
Summary
City staff presented financing options for a roughly $1.9 million 100-foot ladder truck with 16–24 month lead time. Council questioned how to staff the apparatus and how to pay ongoing personnel costs estimated at about $74,000 per firefighter.
Levelland — The City Council reviewed a proposal to acquire a 100-foot ladder fire truck quoted at about $1.9 million and discussed financing and staffing implications without taking immediate action.
Staff said the truck would improve access to larger structures including South Plains College and commercial properties but carries an approximately 16–24 month delivery window from order. Staff emphasized the apparatus’ operational demands: it requires at least four personnel when operating and, to maintain response capacity across shifts, the department projects adding roughly two firefighters per shift (about six additional firefighters over three years). The council heard an estimate of roughly $74,000 per firefighter in total annual cost including benefits and training.
Chief McKay (identified in the transcript) answered technical questions about operation, reserve apparatus and mutual-aid dependence. He and staff outlined other recurring costs: training, bunker gear replacement and equipment upgrades. Several council members said they supported the capability but were concerned about how to fund the continuing personnel costs; staff did not ask for an immediate vote and said they would return with more detail and try to secure additional time from the vendor if possible.
Council directed staff to continue exploring financing scenarios, seek potential grant or private partnership opportunities, and return with refined cost estimates and implementation options at the next council meeting.
