Fire chief warns of $61,000 engine overhaul; department reallocates funds and freezes nonessential spending

Fire Chief David Bergman told the board Engine 1 is building pressure and leaking coolant and requires a full in‑frame overhaul estimated at $61,000; he said Engine 2 returned from repair this month after a roughly $15,000 bill. “We feel like we can cover the bill on both trucks by doing that,” Bergman said, explaining department staff froze nonessential spending except fuel and salaries and are reallocating funds to cover repairs.

Bergman also asked permission to apply for a Firehouse Grant (100% grant) to buy a live‑fire extinguisher training prop (~$16,000) for community outreach and safety training; he said FEMA grants for SCBAs remain a multi‑year effort (a 5% match would be budgeted next fiscal year) and that the department is planning for a replacement cycle through 2031 for SCBAs.

Board members pressed for details about how the $61,000 would be found; Bergman said staff conducted a line‑by‑line review of department accounts and expect to cover the expense via internal transfers and, if necessary, encumbrances into the next fiscal year, with any required budget amendments to appear on the next agenda.

Next steps: staff will finalize budget‑amendment language, award the overhaul to the selected vendor, and schedule vehicle downtime (estimated two to three weeks) while maintaining emergency coverage.