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Williston commission authorizes up to $500,000 to refurbish fire engine, delays payment into next budget year
Summary
After questioning on timing and budget impact, the Williston City Commission authorized up to $500,000 for refurbishment of the 2012 ‘Crimson’ fire engine, with bids requiring delivery and payment after Jan. 1, 2027, and directed sale of a 2016 Rosenbauer engine by auction.
The Board of City Commissioners on April 28 authorized the Williston Fire Department to seek bids and spend up to $500,000 to refurbish a 2012 Crimson fire engine, provided delivery and payment are scheduled after Jan. 1, 2027.
Fire Chief Corey Johnson told commissioners the department is moving to a 20–30-year lifecycle model for engines, with front-line service in years 1–15 and reserve use in years 16–30 following a mid-life refurbishment. “The recommendation of the fire department is to sell the 2016 Rosenbauer and keep the 2012 Crimson,” Johnson said, describing the Crimson as better-built and easier to source parts for.
Commissioners pressed on the cost and timing. Commissioner Brad Bekkedahl asked whether the $500,000 would force a deficit. “This half million dollars would force us into a deficit this year,” he said, and urged that any contract allow payment after the new budget year. Johnson said the department expects to recoup some money from selling the 2016 engine and that refurbishment could be completed faster than waiting for a new apparatus.
Commissioner Victoria Siemieniewski asked the department to tighten timelines for unanswered questions; Johnson said the bid and advertising process adds time but that delay would not harm immediate operations. President Howard Klug said the city could rely on neighboring departments for supplemental help if needed but supported tabling spending into the next budget year if contractors could not accept delayed payment.
Motion by Commissioner Bekkedahl, seconded by Commissioner Bervig, authorized the out-of-budget refurbishment of the 2012 Crimson fire engine up to $500,000, provided bids stipulate delivery and payment after Jan. 1, 2027, and recommended the sale of the 2016 Rosenbauer engine via auction after the Crimson’s refurbishment. The motion passed unanimously, 5–0.
The action supplements other department fleet changes discussed by Johnson, who said the department is seeking to reduce engine counts and stagger replacement to avoid multiple high-dollar purchases in the same year. The commission also approved, separately, a Game and Fish MOU for a prescribed burn training exercise pending city attorney review.
