Clinton City forwards sale of surplus fire engine to nearby department for $15,000

The Committee of the Whole voted to forward a purchase agreement to sell Clinton City’s surplus reserve fire engine No. 57 to a nearby volunteer department for $15,000.

Fire Chief Mike Bush told the council the truck — replaced by the department’s newest unit, No. 55 — was listed with a broker and repeatedly reduced in price after receiving no interest. “The cost just to refurb it was $337,911,” Bush said, and staff found converting or refurbishing the apparatus neither cost-effective nor likely to extend its service life by a decade.

Bush said a neighboring department identified in the transcript as Lomore expressed urgent need but limited funds; that department offered $10,000 and Bush “countered with 15.” He recommended selling locally so the truck could remain in regional service and be covered under an automatic aid agreement, helping response times to incidents at the industrial/rail park.

Councilors asked about the truck’s remaining useful life and whether the city should solicit other county departments; staff said Lomore is aware of the vehicle’s condition and would do modest repairs (Bush noted about $2,000 for electrical work). Staff also warned that long-term storage increases maintenance burdens and testing requirements.

A council member moved to place the sale on the consent agenda with a purchase agreement to be negotiated; the clerk then polled the council. Council members Turpin, Winter, Kearns, Lee, Oberyn, Seeley and Detterman voted yes. The motion carried.

Staff said they would prepare the purchase agreement and return it as a consent item for formal authorization. The meeting record shows the truck had already been declared surplus earlier in 2025; council asked staff to finalize the contract language and confirm how proceeds will be allocated.