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Court authorizes ESD No.2 to apply for loan for aerial ladder truck; federal reimbursement uncertain
Summary
Commissioners authorized Emergency Services District No. 2 to apply for a loan to buy an aerial ladder fire truck and station alerting systems, while staff said federal reimbursement remains possible but is not guaranteed.
El Paso County on July 6 authorized Emergency Services District No.2 to apply for a loan to purchase a new aerial ladder fire truck and to upgrade station alerting systems.
Representatives said the truck has an 18-month to three-year procurement lead time; Chief Roger Esparza told the court the ESD board approved seeking loan authorization to secure the vehicle more quickly given near-term facility and response needs in the district. County budget staff and the chief said the district planned to include loan payments in its budget and would seek federal reimbursement where eligible, but cautioned reimbursement is uncertain and may not be awarded for purchases made before an agreement is in place.
Judge Samaniego moved to approve the loan authorization and Commissioner Coronado seconded; the court recorded the motion as carried.
Why it matters: The truck and alerting upgrades are tied to response capacity in a growing service area and to new facility activity staff described to commissioners. The court’s authorization allows the ESD to pursue financing that ESD officials say is time-sensitive given procurement lead times.
Next steps: The ESD will pursue loan terms and, where possible, seek reimbursement from federal partners; the county noted any reimbursement arrangements would need careful timing to avoid unreimbursed purchases.
