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Pasco staff recommend $2.409 million ladder truck; council to consider purchase authority
Summary
Deputy Fire Chief Mortensen told the council a Rosenbauer tractor‑drawn aerial was selected to replace Pasco’s aging ladder truck; the presentation cited a $2.409 million price, a $40,000 prepayment discount and a 4% manufacturer increase after Dec. 10 that together could save roughly $136,000 if the city signs before the price change.
Deputy Fire Chief Mortensen told the Pasco City Council at its Nov. 24 workshop that the fire department recommends buying a new ladder truck through the cooperative purchasing program Sourcewell and awarding a contract to Rosenbauer. Mortensen said the city selected a tractor‑drawn aerial (TDA) that can turn in a tighter radius to better serve rapidly developing northwest neighborhoods.
Mortensen said the quote included in briefing materials lists a purchase price of $2,409,000 and that Rosenbauer offered a $40,000 prepayment discount. He also said Rosenbauer plans a national price increase of roughly 4% on Dec. 10, creating a combined potential savings of about $136,000 if the city signs a sales agreement and pays up front before that date: "Signing after December 10, we would incur that extra 4%. By signing and paying cash, we'll get a $40,000 discount off the number that I already previously stated," Mortensen said.
Fire staff told the council the department’s current ladder truck was built in 2012 and that apparatus are typically kept in frontline service about 20 years. Mortensen said lead times for manufacturers have stretched to two to five years; Rosenbauer’s quoted lead time for the model presented was about 730 days. He said the choice balanced manoeuvrability for new, tighter neighborhoods with long‑term operational needs and maintenance costs.
City staff said funds for the purchase are available in the equipment replacement plan and that the department has sold surplus vehicles and equipment this year to offset costs. Mortensen described a specification review that included factory visits and vendor comparisons: "We went out, we talked to 3 different vendors, ... and we were happy with one that we came away with. It's Rosenbauer," he said.
Officials emphasized no formal purchase vote was held at the workshop; Mortensen asked the council for budget authority to spend funds already set aside and authorization for the city manager to execute the sales agreement at a future regular meeting. A member of the public urged the council to approve the expenditure as presented, calling the truck "an important part of city infrastructure for safety." The council signaled support and staff said the item will return on a future agenda for formal action.
Next steps: staff plan to present a formal resolution on a future council agenda to provide budget authority and sign the sales agreement if the council approves.
