Commission weighs $1.1M fire engine order as leaders debate timing and budget risk

Fire Chief Weech asked the City Commission to waive the bid process and authorize purchase of a new Pierce fire engine, saying the city's current engine is 12 years old and lead times for new apparatus run more than two years.

"Our current Pierce Fire Engine is 12 years old," Weech said, arguing the three-year lead time means the unit will reach best-practice replacement age by the time it arrives and that the city lacks a reserve apparatus. Commissioners pressed on cost and timing: the price cited by staff was about $1,100,000 and build times of 32–35 months were discussed as a key risk. Finance Director Corey Lamphere and staff briefed commissioners on the city's plan to budget and build the purchase out over the next three years using the fire assessment fee and general funds, and confirmed the city had been setting aside money toward equipment rotation.

Several commissioners said they were concerned about committing a large purchase before budget season and cited economic uncertainty. One commissioner asked to wait 120 days to see budget numbers; others said waiting risked higher prices and longer lead times. The commission took a motion to move forward with authorization and asked staff to return budget detail in June budget workshops for final appropriation decisions.

The discussion also covered contract terms: staff said the manufacturer's proposal includes an inflationary clause and that the city has negotiated delivery estimates and protections; commissioners requested clarity on exit options if prices rose before delivery. Staff said if the commission directed the city to encumber the order, the city would not make full payment until delivery and would continue to budget toward the purchase.

The commission did not finalize a purchase price or payment schedule during the meeting but directed staff to present more refined budget options in forthcoming workshops.