Clermont council approves brush truck and temporary Wellness Way fire station amid calls for county cost-sharing

The City of Clermont voted Dec. 9 to buy a new brush truck and to authorize a temporary fire station to improve response to growing wildfire and emergency risks near the Wellness Way development. Council members approved the brush-truck purchase and site work to deliver a semi-permanent station after extensive public comment from Wellness Way residents pressing for faster emergency response.

Fire Chief (speaker 27) told the council the department’s current brush unit carries about 200 gallons; the proposed vehicle would carry 1,000 gallons and operate more effectively in rural interfaces and on windy days. Residents, several of whom described recent large fires that threatened homes, urged the council to proceed. One resident said the city “was first in, last out” during a recent incident and asked the council to invest in local capacity.

Council debated costs and reimbursement: the chief and staff said the project was discussed during the budget process and is included in the adopted budget, while several members sought a letter asking Lake County for a 50% cost share given much of the brush risk lies in unincorporated areas. Councilmember Strange explicitly suggested a county contribution; the majority agreed to seek such assistance while retaining city ownership and control of the new apparatus and facility.

The council first approved an emergency item authorizing immediate site work and the small building purchase (item 18) by unanimous vote. Council then approved the consolidated funding for the temporary station (item 19) after clarifying that earlier posted figures included a $240,000 emergency element; the final authorized amount was recorded in the minutes as $380,714 for the follow-up contract step after adjusting overlaps, and the brush-truck purchase (item 17) was approved 5–0 as well. Council members said the new equipment would bolster safety for both residents and first responders while staff pursues intergovernmental cost-sharing.

The action leaves follow-up tasks for staff: negotiate any county cost-share, finalize site agreements with the developer for temporary use, and return proposed reverter/ownership language and reporting expectations to council. Council directed staff to preserve the city’s operational control of the truck and station and asked fire staff to report back on reimbursement and implementation timelines.