Soda Springs council approves new firefighter gear, vehicle leases and library circuit

The Soda Springs City Council on Jan. 21 approved several administrative and public-safety actions, including the purchase of new firefighter turnout ensembles and authorization for police vehicle leases, and discussed updates to the city fee schedule and water-quality monitoring.

Director of City Services Dan Squires told the council that turnout gear bought in 2012 is outdated and recommended replacement to meet National Fire Protection Association standards. Councilman Ryan Carpenter moved to purchase new turnout ensembles using available budget and an Ireland Bank donation, with the city net cost capped at $35,000; Councilwoman Paige Byram seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Squires said sets cost about $3,300 per firefighter and will be custom-fitted.

Chief CeJay Golightly asked the council to allow him to sign lease agreements for two police vehicles and to proceed with budgeted upfitting under the department's five‑year lease plan; the council approved the chief to sign the leases.

Naconna Gentry, representing the Soda Springs Community Gardens, received council approval to include mailers about microgreens and available raised beds in upcoming utility bills. The council also approved a $1,300 expense to add an electrical circuit at the library to support a freeze dryer, pending Director Hope Hansen obtaining at least two additional installation bids for comparison.

Director Squires said the city will schedule PFAS monitoring for both water systems twice in 2026, per new monitoring requirements and DEQ activity, and warned that the testing is expensive. Mayor Paul Gritton moved to begin a review of the city fee schedule to align fees at the industrial park, airport and recreation areas with current costs; council members suggested dividing the review by subject-matter experts and comparing city permit fees to county rates.

Clerk Andrea Haderlie reported that accounts payable and payroll year-end work is complete. During an accounts-payable discussion earlier in the meeting, Councilman Daniel Larsen questioned the city's accounting practices and raised concerns about several large invoices from Forsgren and an apparently high Intermountain Gas bill for the library; Clerk Haderlie said some bills were not routed to accounts payable as they should have been and that staff would follow up.

The meeting also included routine updates from public-works and recreation staff — including plans to replace worn street signs and the restart of the Recreation Board — and a report that the Festival Trees fundraiser had 39 trees, 40 volunteers and about 400 attendees and raised $17,000. Councilman Ryan Carpenter thanked the Rotary and the hospital for organizing a recent elected-officials dinner. Councilman Mitchell J. Hart moved to adjourn; Councilwoman Byram seconded and the council adjourned.

Votes at a glance - Approve Jan. 14 minutes: motion by Councilwoman Paige Byram, seconded by Councilman Ryan Carpenter; outcome: approved (all in favor). - Approve accounts payable Jan. 1–19, 2026: motion by Councilman Ryan Carpenter, seconded by Councilman Daniel Larsen; outcome: approved (all in favor). - Library electrical circuit (freeze dryer): motion by Councilman Ryan Carpenter, seconded by Councilman Mitchell J. Hart; outcome: approved pending additional bids (all in favor). - Police vehicle leases (authorize chief to sign): council approval (unanimous; mover not specified in minutes). - Firefighter turnout replacement: motion by Councilman Ryan Carpenter, seconded by Councilwoman Paige Byram; outcome: approved, not to exceed $35,000 net to the city (all in favor). - Adjourn: motion by Councilman Mitchell J. Hart, seconded by Councilwoman Paige Byram; outcome: approved (all in favor).