MANSFIELD — Mansfield City Council is expected to vote Tuesday on the $1,408,054.53 purchase of two new Piece Impel Pumper Fire Trucks.
A final decision on how to pay for the trucks has not been made, Mayor Tim Theaker said Saturday.
The legislation includes language that says “lease-to-own” over a maximum of 10 years and also “pay within 30 days of the contract signing.”
The mayor said Finance Director Linn Steward is examining the best financial options for the city.
“My best guess, the way it’s working out, is we will (lease-to-own),” Theaker said, adding the department’s patient transport fees could likely cover the cost.
If the decision is made to buy the trucks outright, Theaker said, American Rescue Plan Act funds would likely be used.
The city’s Board of Control on Jan. 25 gave its “consensus” approval for the purchase during a meeting with fire Chief Steve Strickling.
The board consists of Theaker, Steward and Public Works Director Dave Remy, who is also now serving as the interim safety-service director.
That approval was based on determining the best way to pay for the new trucks. The legislation, released Friday as part of council’s agenda, said the lease agreement is not to exceed 10 years.
However, it also appears the city may intend to pay for the trucks in full within 30 days of the contract being approved.
The quote from Atlantic Emergency Solutions, Inc. in Manassas, Va., shows the full price for the two trucks at $1,454,054.
It also said, “If Mansfield Fire Department was to prepay the two trucks in full within 30 days of contract signing, the prepayment discount would be $45,999.47 for a new sale price of $1,408,054.53.”
Strickling told the Board of Control the trucks are needed to replace aging equipment, which would be moved into the city’s reserve fleet.
Strickling said the trucks underwent refurbishing about seven years ago, which was done to try to get five more years of service from them.
“We kicked the can down the road five, six, seven years ago and it’s time to look at it,” the chief said.
Strickling said the $1.4 million price tag will provide trucks ready for service, needing only radios and computers.
“It sounds big. It is big. But it’s (a) good (price) in the grand scheme of things,” the chief said.
The trucks would be manufactured in Appleton, Wisconsin, and not arrive until the end of 2022 or the beginning of 2023, the chief said.
One possibility cited during the board meeting was to borrow the money and pay for the trucks over time, using the fire department’s capital improvement funds.
Another possibility would be the use of ARPA funds.
There has been no discussion about the purchase during a City Council meeting. There is a safety committee meeting scheduled Tuesday before council begins.
Also on Tuesday, City Council is expected to:
— vote on a tax credit agreement with Ohio Valley Stamping-Assemblies Inc. of Mansfield. The company hopes to expand its operations, hire 30 more employees and generate another $936,000 annually in local payroll.
— vote on planned building demolitions at 173 Vale Ave., 214 Miller St., 308 Newman St. and 1160 Pawnee Ave.
— vote on legislation paying Dixon’s Fine Cleaning Services $6,061 for cleaning work done in the Municipal Building during January that was done prior to submission of a purchase order.
— discuss during caucus the acceptance of a $471,075.34 grant from the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services for the Northern Ohio Comprehensive Opioid, Simulant and Substance Abuse program. The money will be used to assist the 10-county METRICH Enforcement Unit. There is no local match required to receive the funds.
There are three committee meetings scheduled Tuesday, including finance (6 p.m.), economic development (6:05) and the safety committee (6:10).
A public hearing for Community Development (CDBG/HOME applicants) is planned at 6:30 p.m. City Council caucus is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. with the legislative session immediately following.
The public can view committee meetings, caucus and legislative sessions on the livestream on the City of Mansfield’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/cityofmansfieldoh/
The public meetings can also be viewed on the city’s website at http://www.ci.mansfield.oh.us/.
