Council approves first readings to fund and buy new fire pumper; disposal of 1995 ladder truck authorized

Bellefontaine City Council on first reading approved a resolution and several ordinances to finance and acquire a custom heavy-duty fire pumper and to dispose of an older ladder truck.

The move, introduced by Finance Committee Chair Mrs. Baker, establishes two accounts in the Capital Improvement Fund and the Wastewater Department to facilitate purchase of the pumper. Mrs. Baker said the council intends to use capital funds and an internal borrowing arrangement with the Wastewater fund to complete the purchase and noted urgency because the vendor is increasing prices.

The council voted to: authorize a promissory note from Capital Improvement Fund 410 (Capital Improvement No. 2) to Fund 610 (Wastewater) and declared an emergency to allow expedited first reading action; make supplemental appropriations and amend permanent appropriations tied to the purchase and loan repayment; authorize the service safety director and fire chief to enter into contract with a supplier for a custom heavy-duty pumper; and authorize disposal of a 1995 Schme (Schme) ladder truck through GovDeals. Recorded roll-call voice votes on each first-reading item were unanimous among the members present (Mrs. Baker, Mr. Springs, Mr. Aor, Mr. Davis, Mrs. James, Mr. Reer).

The finance report named the estimated total cost of the new pumper in the meeting as read aloud (transcript: “m225 1676”); the council did not provide a clarified dollar figure on the record during the meeting and no invoice was provided at the session.

Next steps: These measures passed on first reading only; statutory procedures require additional readings or other formalities before a final, binding contract and interfund loan are completed. The ordinances were declared emergency for expedited processing at the council’s direction.