Fire chief presents $1.06 million stock rescue‑pumper proposal to replace aging units

At the Nov. 17 study session Fire Chief Ross Tibbets told council that the department’s 1997 Spartan/Salsbury Heavy Rescue (unit 1931) has exceeded the NFPA recommended 25‑year service life and should be replaced. Chief Tibbets recommended purchasing a stock rescue‑pumper that combines rescue and suppression functions, replacing two aging vehicles with a single multi‑purpose apparatus.

Staff presented a Sourcewell cooperative purchase proposal for a stock rescue‑pumper priced at about $1,058,000. The department said a stock configuration reduces build time and cost compared with a fully custom apparatus (estimated savings of roughly $100,000–$200,000) and provides updated safety systems, improved ergonomics and modern technology. The stock unit was presented as having an expected service life of 20–25 years.

Asst. City Manager/Finance Director Kevin Plockmeyer reviewed Motor Pool fund projections reflecting the higher‑than‑anticipated purchase price; the model showed temporary pressure on fund balance (a projected low in FY2029) but recovery by the mid‑2030s under current replacement assumptions. Plockmeyer recommended payment‑on‑delivery to maximize interest earnings on city cash and to mirror the financial model.

This meeting recorded the presentation and financial review; no final purchase motion was recorded on Nov. 17. Staff recommended using Sourcewell to expedite procurement and to rely on the cooperative’s competitively bid contracts to ensure compliance with procurement rules. Any formal purchase approval and contract execution will be recorded in a subsequent council action.