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Fire commission seeks $593,000 tanker; board discusses financing and deferred payments
Summary
The Fire Commission recommended that South Stokes Volunteer Fire Department procure a new tanker for $593,000, with a low financing quote around 4.65%; the board discussed lease vs. loan language, delivery timing and a stipulation that no county payments be released before Sept. 2025.
Steven Robertson, chair of the Fire Commission, presented a request on Oct. 28 from the South Stokes Volunteer Fire Department to begin specifications and financing for a new tanker to replace a 1984/85 apparatus.
Robertson said the purchase price quoted to the commission was $593,000 and that the department obtained three financing proposals; United Financial returned the lowest interest rate at about 4.65% over a 10‑year term. The request includes a build time of roughly 180 days after contract execution, Robertson said.
Board members and staff discussed whether the document from the lender described a lease or a loan, noting the lender’s language appeared to indicate ownership at term. County staff said the fire department — which would be the borrower — must resolve lease/loan wording and coordinate build and delivery timing to ensure the county does not release funding before the next fiscal year. The board and staff agreed to include a stipulation that the county's funds not be released before September 2025 to align payments with the tax‑revenue cycle.
No formal county funding motion for the tanker purchase was recorded during the meeting; commissioners asked staff to work with the fire department to clarify loan/lease documents and, if needed, return the item to the board for action after review.
Next steps: fire department and Fire Commission to resolve financing language and delivery schedule; staff to return to the board with clarified loan/lease documents and any county funding requests.
