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Blackduck council hears multi-year, $1M-plus estimate for new fire truck; directs staff to pursue funding options
Summary
Fire department presented options for replacing an aging engine chassis, estimating $1.0–$1.1 million in current dollars and a roughly three-year build time; council asked staff to pursue grants and loans and to report back.
The Blackduck City Council discussed plans to replace an aging fire engine chassis after the fire department and vendor representatives outlined options and estimated costs.
The fire department reported that a custom chassis for the current engine would likely cost about $1 million to $1.1 million in today’s dollars and that build times for a custom unit are roughly three years. The vendor also warned of quarterly price increases that could raise the eventual cost if the city delayed ordering.
Council members and the fire chief discussed funding avenues including the special equipment fund, a possible $300,000 grant, and loan programs such as those administered through USDA. The council reviewed the special equipment fund balance as discussed in the meeting and considered whether to sell or privately market the current engine to offset costs.
No motion to purchase was made at the meeting. Instead, council directed staff to aggressively pursue funding options, gather formal grant information and present firm cost scenarios to the council before any purchase commitment.
The discussion highlighted trade-offs: a custom chassis offers a longer service life but will be significantly more expensive than used alternatives, while delaying risks further price increases and equipment failure. The council asked staff to return with clear funding options and timelines so members can weigh the costs and schedule.
