LINCOLN -- The City Council adopted an ordinance last week to waive competitive bidding and award a contract to purchase a new fire truck for about $348,000.
The city will order a 2017 Freightline 114SD chassis fire truck from Truck Centers of Arkansas for $114,310 and a Rosenbauer FX pumper apparatus body from Goldy's Fire Apparatus, LLC for $234,000.
Jay Norton, Lincoln fire administrator, said the new truck will replace one that is 24 years old. Once the contract is signed, it will be about a year before the city receives the truck. The old one then will either be placed in reserve status or sent to a substation.
Norton said the city is fortunate in that it will be able to pay cash for the chassis and body. The city sets aside revenue from its portion of the Washington County sales tax and money from Act 833 to purchase fire trucks. Act 833 provides funding to rural fire departments through insurance premium taxes.
The Council, on Feb. 20, also approved the annual resolution to amend the budget for fiscal year 2016 to reconcile expenditures and revenues.
The city projected to receive $413,750 from revenues in 2016 for the general fund. Actual income for the year was $474,118. Differences included an additional $10,000 in miscellaneous revenue, an increase of about $15,000 from the county sales tax and an additional $10,000 in inspection fees.
Expenses for the general fund totaled $388,150, compared to $380,675 in the budget.
In the Sanitation Department, expenses were under budget by about $25,000. The city budgeted almost $178,000 for expenses, but spent $150,616.
Expenses for the Street Department also came in under budget -- $46,406 in the budget, compared to $31,216 in expenses.
In the Water Department, revenue came in at almost $1.8 million, compared to $1.6 million projected for the year. Expenses for the water department were $1.5 million.
In other action, aldermen authorized a joint agreement with Lincoln Rural Fire Department to purchase a new truck for the Lincoln fire administrator, who serves both organizations. The city agrees to pay $23,092 toward the truck. The rural fire department would pay any additional costs above this amount.
Also, the council approved a resolution in support for an application for a $15,000 grant from the Arkansas Rural Community Grant program. If approved, the grant money would be used to purchase 12 sets of turnout gear for firefighters. The city would match the grant with $15,000.
General News on 03/01/2017