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Daniels County weighs options to replace aging fire trucks; commissioners signal financial support
Summary
The county heard a detailed case from the fire chief about replacing several aging trucks and discussed a mix of fundraising, donation reserves, loans (Intercap) and targeted mill-levies; commissioners encouraged setting a target and allowing the department to hold a truck with a down payment while staff pursue loan/grant options.
William, identified at the meeting as the Daniels County fire chief, told commissioners the newest county-owned fire apparatus dates to 1997 and laid out quoted prices for replacement vehicles and the costs of bed, tank and modification work. "The newest fire truck that the county owns is a 1997," he said, and reviewed options ranging from used chassis up to full new-builds.
Commissioners and volunteer firefighters discussed a pragmatic approach: target a lower-cost, serviceable truck (estimates put a realistic purchase and conversion in the $30,000—1,000 range depending on availability), seed a replacement fund and pursue grants or a 5-year loan if necessary. One volunteer suggested a five-year rotation plan so the district could replace one unit on a predictable schedule rather than face a single very-large purchase.
The board discussed the Intercap loan option but noted that lenders typically require a specific asset and VIN for underwriting; commissioners recommended the fire department identify a truck and then bring a down payment to the county so staff could finalize loan paperwork. Commissioners agreed the department could use donation balances as seed money and that the county would set up discrete principal/interest and loan-revenue lines in the budget if the county co-signed a loan.
Participants also discussed the pros and cons of taking a DNR-built bed under DNRC's program (cheaper but some limitations and asset-ownership complications). Commissioners asked staff to contact potential lenders and DNRC for availability and to provide a precise plan and payment schedule so the county could evaluate a loan or other funding route.
Next steps: the fire department will continue to search for candidate trucks, may provide a departmental down payment to hold a vehicle after consulting with a commissioner, and county staff will pursue loan/grant options and report back with concrete VINs and financing terms.
