Council approves purchase of aerial fire truck and moves funding, unanimous votes

The Village of Saint Bernard council unanimously approved purchase of a new aerial fire truck and authorized the funding transfers to begin payment.

Ordinance 23‑2024 authorizes the director of public safety and service to enter into a contract with Vogelpohl Fire Equipment for the purchase of a new aerial fire truck. Councilors voted to suspend the second and third readings and then adopted the ordinance by a 7–0 roll-call vote.

The auditor had previewed related budget action earlier in the meeting. "It moves 550,000 out of the general fund transfer out into the capital improvement cash account, and then it includes the additional appropriations of the 550,000 capital improvements," Auditor Brickwood said. She added, "This is 1 third of the payment for the new fire truck." The ordinance package presented to council included that transfer and additional appropriations and was also suspended for second and third readings and adopted by unanimous vote (7–0).

Council recorded the roll-call results on each motion; the clerk announced the votes and the president declared the motions carried. No formal opposition or abstentions were recorded during the adoption of Ordinance 23 or Ordinance 24.

Council members also noted smaller grant receipts described by the auditor to cover equipment such as a turnout-gear washing dryer and made brief references to unemployment claim adjustments in department budgets.

The ordinances take effect as read; staff were directed to finalize contract documents with the vendor and proceed with procurement steps outlined by the director of public safety.