The Prescott City council placed the possible purchase of a new truck for the Fire Department on the agenda for Monday’s City Council meeting. Two options were brought forward from a discussion held March 20th. The Prescott Fire Association uses resources for the city and also for the townships of Oak Grove and Clifton, which contact to receives response from the Prescott Department. The city of Prescott would incurr 58.66% – or nearly 372,000 of the cost burden, Oak Grove Township- 30.04% and Clifton, the remaining 11.3%Option 1 included the purchase of a custom Heavy rescue truck which would cost $634,000. Payment could be distributed over 10-20 years relying on a 4 to 4.25% interest rate or the issuance of GO Bonds, for which a rise in Prescott’s levy would be incurred. The second option presented was a combination of the rescue truck and a pumper or tanker truck that would add 1.478 million dollars to the bill. The same division of cost would take place with Prescott’s obilgation estimated at nearly 867,000. Both options assume that $50,000 would come from Fire Reserves, Fundraising and the sale of old vehicles. Grants were considered to reduce the impact and loan options were also discussed to find the best fit for purchase terms.
The council approved going ahead with the purchase of both vehicles with more discussion to determine financing options, grant or sponsorsdhip opportunities and votes by the townships to shoulder a combined 42% of the cost. A decision from the townships is expected by the end of April.
