Council approves fire vehicle maintenance building contract amid funding concerns

The Edmond City Council approved acceptance of the low bid and execution of a contract with Skybridge Construction LLC for a new fire vehicle maintenance building, a project described by Fire Chief Terry Esri as a 5,000‑square‑foot satellite facility intended to free bays at the existing fleet maintenance building and provide a classroom for emergency vehicle technicians.

Chief Esri said the project was included in an ARPA grant application that requires project completion by Dec. 31 to qualify for reimbursement; the project’s estimated construction cost of $1,490,000 was presented in the packet. City staff and council members debated funding sources: councilors expressed concern that the fire fund’s reserves were low and asked whether fleet maintenance reserves or other internal sources could be used instead of tapping fire‑fund balances.

City staff said the fleet maintenance fund does have a sizable fund balance and that some fleet reserves are attributable to fire operations; the city attorney and manager agreed staff could return with a funding plan. After extended discussion about bid timelines, statutory procurement deadlines and the risk of losing ARPA funds, council approved the contract and asked staff to prepare an explicit funding plan to be reviewed at a future meeting.

Chief Esri said he believes the project can meet grant timing and that the facility will provide quicker access for emergency‑vehicle repairs while not adding permanent new personnel. Council recorded the acceptance and contract award with direction to finalize funding details and report back to the council.