The administration is asking Parkersburg City Council to approve spending more than $2.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, which includes $1 million for a ladder truck and $60,000 to pay off the fire department’s burn tower, newsandsentinel.com reported.
The budget revisions are on the council’s agenda for Tuesday night, along with $90,000 to repair the water slide at Southwood Park, $580,000 for two new Sanitation Department packer trucks and $540,000 for new street sweepers, the report said.
A city official told council he was considering a request for equipment purchases using ARPA funds during the recent municipal budget hearings, according to the report.
The money can be spent directly from the city’s ARPA allotment because it’s for public health and public safety, a city official said.
The $1 million for the ladder truck will be supplemented by $275,000 allocated for the purchase in the capital reserve fund and $50,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds, the report said.
A fire official saved the city between $500,000-$700,000 by proposing buying a slightly smaller truck than the city now uses, the report said. It would have the same maximum ladder length of 100 feet but would not have a bucket and platform at the top. The existing truck could be used as a backup and the reduced wear would allow it to remain in service longer.