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Cook County preliminarily approves $306,501 loan to Town of Lutzen for rescue truck; rate and term to be set May 12

Cook County Board of Commissioners · April 29, 2026
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Summary

The board voted to approve a county loan to Lutzen covering 75% ($306,501) of a Rosenbauer rescue truck purchase and scheduled a follow-up on May 12 to set exact rate and term. Commissioners emphasized fund-balance review and loan-policy updates before final terms are confirmed.

Cook County commissioners gave preliminary approval for a loan to the Town of Lutzen to finance the purchase of a Rosenbauer rescue truck, voting to authorize the loan amount while deferring the interest rate and term to a May 12 meeting.

Supervisor Hamiak and Fire Chief Duclos told the board the truck would cost approximately $408,668; Lutzen requested a county loan of $306,501 (75 percent), with the township covering the remaining 25 percent. The build time for the truck is about 600 days, and the township asked the county for a timely yes-or-no so they could sign a contract and keep current pricing.

Commissioners asked detailed questions about the township’s existing truck fund (Supervisor Hamiak said it holds about $327,000), the county’s historical loan policy (a 2012 policy for volunteer fire departments was referenced), how approving the loan would affect fund balance, and whether grants might later offset the county’s exposure. County staff and commissioners discussed updating loan policy and assessing the county’s available reserve before setting the loan’s final terms.

Commissioner Sullivan moved to approve the loan in principle with the interest rate and term to be determined at the May 12 meeting. The motion was seconded, put to a voice vote and recorded as approved; staff were asked to model the fund-balance impact and recommend a fair rate and term at the May 12 meeting.

What’s next: The loan amount is approved in concept; the board will set the loan’s rate and term on May 12 after staff present fund-balance analysis and recommended loan terms.