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Willows City approves lease and purchase of new Type 1 fire engine using federal grants and lease financing
Summary
Council authorized a 10‑year lease and the purchase of a Pierce Puck Type 1 fire engine with an estimated total cost of about $1.44 million, funded with a $660,000 congressional appropriation, a requested $400,000 congressional add from Senator Schiff, apparatus reserves and lease financing; delivery is estimated in three to four years.
Willows City Council on June 9 approved a financing plan to replace its aging Engine 2, authorizing a lease agreement with Community Leasing Partners and adopting the purchase of a Pierce Type 1 apparatus.
Fire Chief Nathan Monk told the council the apparatus committee selected a Pierce Puck platform to meet the city's operational needs; the total cost for the apparatus and upfitting is roughly $1.44 million. "The engine we ended up selecting as the apparatus committee was a Type 1 Pierce Puck," Monk said, citing operational features that include pump‑and‑roll capability and additional cabinet space made possible by a pump‑under‑cab design.
Monk described the funding strategy as a three‑legged approach: a $660,000 reimbursable congressional appropriation, a request for an additional $400,000 being advanced through Senator Schiff’s office, and use of the city’s apparatus reserve. Because the reimbursable grants require the engine to be in the city before funds are disbursed, the council approved a 10‑year lease at an estimated 4.65% rate with a two‑year deferred payment so the city will not begin payments until after delivery, which the chief estimated will take three to four years.
Council sought and received assurances that the contractor and lease include performance bond protection and that interest will accrue during the deferment period. Vice Mayor Thomas confirmed the presence of a performance bond while the chief said the bond protects the city's capital investment.
Mayor Hudson and the council then voted to authorize the manager to execute the lease and to adopt the purchase proposal; both measures passed 5–0.
What happens next: staff will finalize lease payment schedules and related attachments, continue pursuit of the additional congressional funding, and monitor delivery timelines and warranty/performance bond documentation.
