The city’s predicament is that one of two engines is out of service. The city has purchased a computer to diagnose the issues with one truck. It hasn’t arrived. It’s possible that the vehicle could be repaired and its pump pressure testing might meet standards. Â The next pump exam is set for late fall or early spring. City Councilman Donnie Wilson suggested waiting on the status of the truck and seeing if a new one is needed and develop a financing plan.
“If this would have been handled prior we wouldn’t have this issue,” said Jeremy St. John, a firefighter and city councilman.
Generally, it takes about eight months to manufacture a truck. By prepaying it, the city would save about $26,000. Additionally, it has identified a $30,000 USDA Rural Development grant it might qualify for. The fire truck estimate is expected to jump another 3-3.5 percent in February.