Dawson council approves spreaders, hires grant writer for turnout gear and weighs pumper-repair funding

The Dawson City Council on Feb. 10 approved purchase of new electrical spreaders for the Fire Department and authorized hiring a grant writer to pursue funding for turnout gear, while discussing options for funding pumper repairs and saving for a new fire truck.

City Manager Tyler Franzky and council members emphasized the need to protect the city’s fire-equipment savings while meeting immediate repair and equipment needs. Franzky said the equipment/truck fund at GCCU will be significantly reduced by the spreader purchase and pumper repair costs and that the city will explore paying some repair costs from the Fire Department operating fund to replenish the equipment fund over the following one to two years. Councilman Jake Bothun pressed the council to prioritize saving for a new fire truck expected in the next two to five years.

Fire Chief Brian Hersom was present for the discussion; Mayor JT Schacherer asked Chief Hersom about the age of the department’s current spreaders as part of the justification for replacement. The council approved the spreader purchase on a motion by Councilman Jeff Olson, seconded by Councilman Dean Petersen; Adelman, Petersen, Bothun, Stafford and Olson voted in favor.

On staffing for grant pursuits, Councilman Olson moved, with a second from Councilman Bothun, to hire a grant writer strictly for the Fire Department’s effort to secure new turnout gear; the motion passed with the same roll-call vote. The council did not move to hire a grant writer for training equipment; no motion was recorded on that item.

Next steps: Franzky will explore funding mixes between the equipment/truck fund and the Fire Department operating fund and report back to council. The council did not specify dollar amounts in the meeting minutes.