The proposal will be up for a final vote at the Dec. 13 council meeting.

In a memo to the council sent Nov. 8, Brown identified the potential surplus vehicles as a 1991 Ford tanker, and a 1996 Smeal pumper. Once declared surplus vehicles, Brown and the department are expected to bid the vehicles out for a minimum of $17,500 and a minimum of $10,000 respectively to cover some costs for a new truck.

Brown also intends to place the surplus tag on the department’s 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. The car is a retired Clinton Police Department squad car, and has been used as a CFD training vehicle, according to Brown. After numerous recent trips in the car, Brown doesn’t feel that it can adequately perform at highway speeds, should it need to.

“It’s time to get rid of these vehicles,” Brown told the council Tuesday night. “The market for these trucks is just really not there, but we do have some local interest in them, with two different local fire departments that would like to bid on them. The plan is to put them out to bid, and we’ll accept sealed bids on each vehicle.”

The new trucks were purchased through state rebate money for around $1.1 million, and was planned after the city paid off the Starkville Fire Department's main ladder engine last year.

The introduction of the trucks saw a housing ceremony; a symbolic water transfer from the decommissioned engines; a blessing of the new engines and a call to service with emergency management officials. The new vehicles were anointed by Charlie F. Barnes, and the blessing was given by Ward 6 Alderman Roy A. Perkins.

"It's been a long process, but this is awesome," said SFD Chief Charles Yarbrough. "It's the first time since I've been here that we welcomed two new trucks at the same it. It's special."

"This is a banner day for SFD and a banner day for the city," added Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman. "It truly is special to take part in this ceremony for our whole community. Fire trucks are a symbol of civic pride, and I think that's for many different reasons. I think we are filled with pride because they also represent symbols of growing and prosperity. It is the fire service that allows us to grow and prosper as businesses and residences alike feel that Starkville is a safe place to build and have the structures protected by SFD."

As part of his departmental plan, Yarbrough implemented new changes to SFD policies, ranging from revamping the recruitment and hiring process to streamlining the building inspection guidelines and purchasing new equipment on a consistent basis to improve the department.

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