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Public works and emergency services describe equipment needs as Jasper council weighs funding
Summary
City staff and emergency-service representatives told the council they need a skid steer (~$60,000), a plow truck (~$70,000), and building repairs to EMS facilities (~$20,000); council deferred final funding decisions to the Dec. 3 budget meeting.
City department representatives on Nov. 20 outlined capital and maintenance needs — and the council agreed to defer funding decisions until more budget information is available.
Kevin Gum, building and grounds supervisor, told the council the public works skid steer may need replacement, which the clerk estimated at roughly $60,000. Gum also described the city plow truck as having a rusted bed with large holes and said the vehicle would likely need replacement; the estimated cost discussed was about $70,000. Council members later agreed to push the plow truck purchase into 2027 to reduce near-term budget pressure.
Fire Department needs and EMS facility repairs were also discussed. Clerk-Treasurer Renae Thode spoke for ‘Kip’ from the fire department, saying the shed near the EMS building and siding on the EMS building require repairs; the estimate mentioned was about $20,000. Renae noted the department had hired a grant writer and expected to secure external funding to help cover these repairs.
Ambulance representative Kim Drew said the ambulance completed licensure this year and is licensed through 2027; she said capital equipment needs are limited in the near term but that a heart monitor could require replacement in about four years and that she typically applies for grant funding for that equipment.
No formal capital appropriations were approved during the meeting; councilors instructed the clerk to bring updated budget figures and vendor/quote information to the Dec. 3 follow-up budget meeting.
