Commissioners Authorize $200,000 Transfer to Rural Fire Equipment Fund; Priorities Include Brush Truck and SCBAs

Michael Smith, identified in the meeting packet as the register of deeds for Montgomery County, presented a proposed resolution authorizing the transfer of $200,000 from the Rural Fire General Fund to the Rural Fire Special Equipment Fund pursuant to KSA 19-36-12(c). He said the money is budgeted for the year and listed top priorities: a brush truck for Cherryville, a pumper-tanker for Havana and replacement self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs).

Smith outlined the fund math: the special equipment fund currently holds $233,456; after earmarking $95,000 for a pumper/tanker and $8,600 for skid units, available balance would be $129,856; adding the $200,000 transfer would bring that balance to about $329,856. "Currently, we have sitting in the special equipment fund now, we have $233,456," Smith said, and enumerated the planned uses.

Commissioners debated procurement strategy, with one commissioner urging caution about putting a light-frame new pickup on the fire line and suggesting consideration of heavier used trucks (F-550s) or ensuring weight/capacity is sufficient. Smith said a basic new 2026 Ford F-350 estimate of about $70,000 compared favorably with used-brush-truck prices he cited. The board moved, seconded and called the vote to approve the transfer; the transcript records affirmative responses from two named commissioners.