After failed grant, Daniels County explores loan and donations to buy fire truck; approves intercap draw requests for transfer station equipment

Daniels County’s fire department did not receive a grant application for a pumper truck, and commissioners discussed funding and procurement options including taking an intercap loan and reallocating donated funds.

Fire representative Neil Holm told the board the grant application for the pumper did not come through. The department has about $33,600 in donations and special-account funds; commissioners discussed whether to use donations for outfitting, to pursue an intercap loan for the vehicle purchase, or to run a public fundraiser. "You're going to need another $10,000 to get close," a participant noted in budget discussion, reflecting the gap between available donations and estimated total purchase/outfitting costs.

Commissioners asked staff to prepare a procurement and financing plan. The board discussed short-listing used vehicles, local shops that can shorten a chassis to fit the hall, and whether the fire department would take a loan where a portion of the outfitting could come from donations. Commissioners concluded staff should gather quotes and loan paperwork and return with a concrete plan.

Separately, the commission moved to approve several intercap loan disbursement and reimbursement items: a draw from an intercap loan program for solid-waste transfer-station equipment (a mini excavator; the intercap cap discussed was $277,000 with this draw about $60,800), Cold Creek Bridge pay estimate #3 and retainage matters (around $45,846 reported for one item with retainage balances discussed), and airport outlay reimbursement packets. The motions to submit the intercap draw and reimbursements passed unanimously.

County staff will prepare intercap loan paperwork, gather procurement quotes for the fire vehicle and report back with a finance recommendation.