Council approves using bond savings to fund five fire-station bay exhaust systems

The Salem City Council authorized the procurement of five exhaust systems for fire-station apparatus bays and directed that the cost be covered from available savings in the city’s bond-funded fire apparatus category.

Councilor Matthews initially moved to refer the funding request for five fire station bay exhaust systems back to the bond oversight steering committee for reconsideration of using bond funds. Staff and the bond oversight committee had discussed the request earlier; some steering committee members were concerned about scope creep and preserving bond funds for promised projects.

Chief Financial Officer Josh Eggleston told council that the apparatus procurement is near completion and is projected to result in savings from the $26 million apparatus allocation; he said those savings would be sufficient to cover the exhaust-system expense. Given the safety and livability purpose of the exhaust systems, Councilor Gwynn offered a substitute motion to approve the purchase and allocate bond savings to pay for it. The substitute motion was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote.

Councilors framed the decision as using existing bond-category savings rather than drawing from the general fund, and they emphasized the safety rationale: bay exhaust systems remove vehicle exhaust from station interiors, protecting firefighters and station staff. The council did not specify the exact dollar amount at the meeting; staff said the final numbers will be included in purchasing paperwork and reported back to the council.