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Commissioners and fire leaders debate truck procurement, radios and how to save for equipment
Summary
Daniels County commissioners and local fire leaders spent significant time discussing radios that need realignment, transition to fiber, and strategies to save toward a new fire truck (noting $33,000 in contributions and limits on moving mill-levy funds). Commissioners asked for monthly budget reports and tighter purchase approvals to build a capital reserve.
The Daniels County meeting featured an extended discussion about emergency communications and fire department capital needs after staff reported that the county’s microwave link was misaligned and a planned equipment install was postponed.
County officials said a microwave path for radios was aimed at the wrong tower, which helps explain recent radio reception problems. Staff reported the county is moving to fiber for backhaul, and that the new system should restore reliable communications once equipment is turned over and installed.
Fire department leaders described the need for a new truck and other capital items. Commissioners and staff reviewed account structure: operating funds (account 2340), contributions (account 2341, noted at about $33,000), and equipment/machinery (account 940). One commissioner advised treating carryover funds as a dedicated vehicle-savings account (940) while continuing to manage annual budgeting constraints tied to mill levies. A county official explained: "If you saved money on your budget, you could save toward a truck; we've been putting excess into the 940 account to build it up." Commissioners urged monthly itemized budget reports so department leaders can track small recurring purchases that erode savings.
Board members also raised procurement-control concerns after spotting nonessential charges (an item described as a "car duster") on department expense records. Commissioners directed that Jess/finance provide detailed monthly reports and asked department heads to approve purchases in advance to prevent unauthorized charges.
On mutual-aid and liability, commissioners asked staff to review mutual-aid agreements and ownership records for several vehicles (including a 1993 GMC 3500 county pickup identified in the inventory). They asked county attorneys and appropriate contacts to clarify liability and transfer possibilities for vehicles currently sitting unused.
What’s next: fire leadership will deliver a prioritized equipment list and monthly expense reports; staff will follow up on radio alignment, vehicle ownership questions and mutual-aid agreements.
