Gregory volunteer fire chief seeks council authorization to front grants, including $300,000 water tender

The Gregory Volunteer Fire Department requested council authority to temporarily advance up to $400,000 from the city's general fund so it can place orders under several reimbursable grants and avoid losing funding deadlines. The department said most of the grants are 95% reimbursable and the initial expected outlay would be about $315,000 to cover a new water tender plus $50,000 to cycle smaller grants until reimbursements arrive.

"We're asking the city council to authorize an advance from the general fund in an amount not to exceed $400,000," the department's presenter said, explaining that they would pay invoices, submit receipts, receive reimbursement, and revolve funds for the next purchase. Vendors offered varying quotes: one manufacturer quoted $525,000 for a 1,500-gallon truck; Diamondback quoted roughly $298,546 and offered a discount to about $286,734 for full prepayment. The vendor representative, Tim Campbell of Diamondback, said lead time is typically 9—1 months and that larger chassis availability affects the schedule.

Councilors probed procurement policy, whether the department's request followed purchasing rules, and the timing relative to the fiscal year and budget amendment deadlines; staff agreed to assemble grant documentation, vendor quotes and any procurement constraints for the council and recommended an action item at the next meeting so the council could vote after reviewing the paperwork.