Scott County approves $1.9M pumper contract to refresh aging fleet; delivery expected in three years
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Summary
The fiscal court authorized a contract for a new fire pumper with an estimated contract price cited by staff as about $1.896 million and a projected 36-month delivery; the purchase is intended to prevent multiple aged engines from remaining in frontline service or aging too long in reserve.
Scott County Fiscal Court voted June 13 to authorize contracting for a new fire pumper at a price staff presented to the court as approximately $1.896 million. The court's motion passed on voice vote.
Fire and county staff explained the procurement strategy: a three-year delivery schedule means ordering now avoids higher costs and new 2027 engine-emissions requirements that staff said would add roughly $80,000 to $100,000 to the price of engines built to the later standard. Staff said the purchase will allow the county to stagger fleet replacement so reserves are younger and more reliable when they must serve as frontline units.
Officials described current reserve apparatus ages: the reserve units include vehicles from about 2017 and 2019, and by 2028 one reserve could be approximately 22 years old without fleet adjustments. The court's approval was intended to get ahead of long manufacturing lead times and avoid simultaneous large procurements in the future.
Court members discussed alternatives, including waiting a year or pursuing an available prebuilt unit if one appears on manufacturers' inventory, but ultimately authorized the contract to secure a place in the production line. County staff said budget planning for the purchase will occur in future fiscal years because payment is due on delivery.