Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Milaca fire pumper order in place; department faces potential $126,000 gap and township complaints
Summary
Council was told the city has sent $190,000 on a fire truck chassis and the fire department has $573,000 in reserves; without further donations the department could be roughly $126,000 short. Townships said they were not informed about the pumper purchase and expressed unhappiness.
City officials on Aug. 12 updated the council on an in-progress pumper-truck purchase and a potential funding shortfall for the fire department.
City Manager Tammy Pfaff said the city had sent a $190,000 payment and that the truck’s chassis is now in. She said the Fire Relief account has about $573,000 but, "if they don't donate anymore money to the city from the Fire Relief, they will be $126,000 short." Pfaff said the department had not received a FEMA grant they were pursuing that would have covered about $25,000 of the local share and that the department may reapply.
Pfaff reported she had received calls from townships indicating they were unhappy about the pumper purchase and that townships said they were not informed. Councilors discussed options for funding the remaining balance and whether costs could be shared with townships or covered by spending down city cash; Pfaff said she anticipated additional donations but the council did not adopt a formal funding plan during the meeting.
Pfaff and Public Works Superintendent Gary Kirkeby also noted the department’s use of mutual-aid and billing practices have improved collections over time; Pfaff said outstanding accounts receivable related to fire calls were about $8,300 and the city can pursue collection avenues.
The council did not take formal action on the pumper funding at the session.
