The Parsons City Commission approved the purchase of a Pierce Enforcer pumper truck for $684,032.62 during a special meeting Friday.
“The reason we’re having this special (meeting) is because if the … commission doesn’t order this by Feb. 1, the price increases by a significant amount,” said commissioner Kevin Cruse.
The approval was unanimous. Mayor Leland Crooks was absent Friday.
After Tuesday, the price increases by $45,226.46 to $729,259.07. Because the city commission signaled approval to pay the $684,032.62 Friday meeting, the city locked in that price.
“And we do appreciate you taking the time to come in,” said City Manager Debbie Lamb. “We just couldn’t see spending $45,000 that we didn’t need to.”
This truck will replace the oldest frontliner, which will now go into reserve, in the fire department’s fleet, officials said.
“What that actually will do is we’ll step trucks down,” said Brad Boss, interim fire chief.
Lamb said the city needs to wire the money to Conrad Fire Equipment by 2 p.m. Monday. The money will come out of the city’s reserve funds until bank financing can be put in place, officials said.
The delivery date of the truck is 20.5 months, or about two years out.
Pierce equipment is trusted by the fire department.
“They’ve always gave us the best of the best,” Boss told commissioners Friday. “I mean, they always have.”
Boss said he and other employees in the fire department collaborated to decide what fire engine to purchase. The process started last year and then was paused, officials said. The fire department then got back together to discuss this in the fall. Officials said it was a group effort.
“We now have what we feel is a functional, versatile truck to serve the community and the surrounding area,” Boss said in a letter addressed to Lamb and the commissioners.
Source: https://www.parsonssun.com/news/article_3fef30ea-80bf-11ec-9eca-7f5936358441.html
