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Raeford council tables purchase of new fire pumper after finance officer flags prepayment concerns
Summary
Fire Chief Donnie Smith requested a new pumper to replace a 1994 unit; Finance Officer Scott Edwards explained concerns about a vendor's 100% prepayment discount structure and council by unanimous consent directed staff to seek alternative discount options and tabled the decision.
Raeford — Fire Chief Donnie Smith told the council on Aug. 2 that the department needs to replace a 1994 pumper that has reached its end of life and requested authority to purchase a new unit.
Scott Edwards, the city’s finance officer, briefed the council on a vendor proposal from Fire Connections, Inc. that offered a prepayment discount. Edwards explained how prepayment discounts work and highlighted issues council should consider before committing to a purchase that required full prepayment. The council asked the finance officer to contact the vendor to inquire about discount options that would not require 100% prepayment.
By unanimous consent the council chose to table the purchase and directed staff to return with alternatives and additional information before taking final action.
Next steps: Staff will follow up with the vendor about alternative discount structures and report back to the council at a later meeting; no financing or purchase was authorized at this session.
