Council outlines funding split and donor offer for one fire-trailer unit

Councilors discussed how the city would pay for two new trailers to carry water tanks used for prescribed burns and incident response, saying the highway fund and the general fund would cover the city’s portion while an anonymous donor offered to purchase one unit.

A councilor explained accounting changes so the highway fund will pay for one of the units and the general fund for the other. "Since we have a citizen buying 1 of the trailers, that makes the cost for each unit to the city..." the councilor said; the council later clarified that the total price for two trailers at the revised per-unit cost is $2,700 and that the donation would cover one unit. Staff said they will review budget law and determine whether the council should adopt a resolution to formally accept the donation. The council directed staff to proceed with adding $2,700 to the expenditure sheet and to confirm the donation transaction before final payment.

Chair and councilors noted funds previously allocated for the water tanks remain available and that staff will confirm whether the donation should be transacted as a direct purchase to the vendor or as a donation to the city that the city then disburses to the builder. Councilors asked staff to report back with the recommended administrative steps.