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Council approves purchase of two fire administration vehicles; debate over budget amendment noted
Summary
The city approved purchasing two code‑3‑equipped fire administration vehicles at a presented cost of $197,835.36. Council and staff discussed whether the purchase required a budget amendment; staff said the expense will be processed through the equipment replacement fund with a department budget adjustment.
Cathedral City’s council on April 8 authorized the purchase of two fire department administration vehicles and related code‑3 (emergency) equipment, with staff presenting a total cost of $197,835.36.
Fire Chief Contreras said the vehicles are needed to equip recently added command positions (a deputy chief and an administrative battalion chief) and to ensure on‑call response capability with appropriate towing and equipment capacity. He explained one existing vehicle will be repurposed to maximize fleet efficiency and said the selected dealer (Quality Chevrolet) had units in stock for faster delivery.
During the item councilors pressed staff on the fiscal presentation. Finance staff and the city manager explained there was earlier confusion during the budget process over whether the prior $154,000 figure in the equipment replacement fund represented budgeted replacements or new additional vehicles. Staff said the current purchase represents additional vehicles and will require a departmental budget adjustment; however the funds will be paid through the equipment replacement fund and capitalization/asset inventory treatments will follow the city’s fixed‑asset policy.
Council Member Rita Lamb moved to approve the purchase with the budget adjustment; Council Member Christina Gordon seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Mayor Gregory asked staff to make future fiscal exhibits clearer about whether amounts represent budget adjustments and to label such entries explicitly in future staff reports.
Chief Contreras said the purchase supports the department’s operational goals, including developing a swiftwater team and ensuring command vehicles are available for response needs. No members of the public spoke on the item.
