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Williston fire chief seeks up to $500,000 to refurbish aging engine as commission weighs timing
Summary
Fire Chief Corey Johnson asked the Williston City Commission to authorize up to $500,000 to refurbish a 2012 fire engine and recommended selling a newer 2016 Rosenbauer, but commissioners pressed for options that would avoid creating a current-year budget deficit.
Corey Johnson, Williston fire chief, told the City Commission on April 28 that the department plans to implement a 20–30-year lifecycle model for emergency engines and is recommending refurbishing a 2012 “Crimson” engine while selling a 2016 Rosenbauer.
Johnson told commissioners the department’s plan is to keep engines in frontline service for about 15 years, perform a midlife refurbishment, then place them in reserve for another 15 years. He said the Crimson’s parts are easier to source and that the department expects a comprehensive refurb to cost as much as $500,000. “I think we can get anywhere from $250–$600,000 for an engine in decent condition,” Johnson said of potential resale revenue after refurbishment and turnover.
The request prompted questions about budget timing. Commissioner Brad Bekkedahl said the city ended last year in a deficit and urged caution about out-of-budget spending. “This half million dollars would force us into a deficit this year,” Bekkedahl said, adding he preferred pushing the expense into the 2027 budget if possible.
Johnson replied that the city already has an engine that is not in service and that delaying the work would prolong maintenance and storage pressure. He outlined a compromise the commission discussed: advertise the refurbishment for bid but include a condition that delivery and payment occur after Jan. 1, 2027, to avoid an immediate hit to this year’s books.
Commissioners pressed for additional timeline details and whether reserve apparatus and mutual-aid partners could temporarily cover service gaps. Johnson said mutual-aid arrangements exist but that volunteer availability is limited during weekday business hours.
Commissioner Lucas Gjovig asked whether a full refurb would address the engine, transmission and plumbing issues; Johnson said those items were included in the estimate. President Howard Klug suggested tabling the request if bidders would not accept deferred payment, but Commissioner Bekkedahl offered the motion that included the payment-after-Jan. 1, 2027 stipulation and a recommendation to auction the 2016 Rosenbauer after the refurb. The motion was made on the record; a formal vote is not recorded in the transcript.
Next steps: The commission recorded the motion and directed staff to structure the bid to include deferred payment terms where possible and to return with any additional timeline information or if the bid terms cannot be arranged.
