Council weighs a specialized off-road emergency vehicle and fleet-lease changes

Fire and emergency staff asked the council to consider purchasing a specialized side-by-side response vehicle to improve access on trails, river corridors and steep hillside locations where full-size apparatus cannot reach. Staff presented multiple quotes for similarly outfitted units ranging from about $48,530 to higher Polaris-based builds near $75,000; the vendor Young Power Sports provided a lower quote near $48,530 and some council members urged staff to pursue grants and sponsorships to lower the city’s net cost.

Supporters said the vehicle reduces the risk of back injuries and improves response on narrow trails and during large community events (parade route and river-trail incidents). Opponents questioned long-term durability, higher maintenance needs for side-by-sides, and whether an equally equipped 4x4 pickup could meet most needs at similar or lower cost. “If we're asking our employees to go up to places...we should give them the proper equipment,” one council member said; others urged finding grant or sponsorship funding before committing city dollars.

Separately, staff described moving fleet management to a new vendor that advised rotating to Tacomas based on resale value; staff reported strong used-vehicle mileage performance across the fleet and said trading Dodges for Tacomas could produce cost benefits and potentially free budget for an additional vehicle with modest annual incremental cost.

Council did not approve any purchase at the retreat. Direction to staff: pursue the grant that has a sheriff’s-office letter of support pending (staff said they will request the letter from the sheriff), gather final vendor quotes/specifications (noting EMS jump-seat and pump/skid differences), and return with an updated cost/reimbursement plan and sponsorship/grant options for council consideration.