Plymouth Fire Chief Rod Miller appeared before the Plymouth Redevelopment Commission on Tuesday night asking for funding for a new fire truck.
Miller said this requests is usually supported by the Cumulative Capital Development Fund out of the city’s budget, but it won’t be available to support the purchase of a fire truck.
“As of today, with the increase cost of what those things actually cost, we cannot keep buying ambulances and fire trucks both out of that fund,” stated Miller.
The projected cost of the new fire engine for the city is approximately $700,000.
The truck that he plans to replace is on the department’s rotation schedule which is 20-25 years.
“I’m looking at replacing a truck that is 26 years old. It has 26,600 miles on it and almost 2,500 engine hours on it. That doesn’t seem like a lot, but we have to weigh safety factors of the truck itself. It carries six people on it and it is time.”
He added that two ambulances have been purchased out of the Cumulative Capital Development Fund in the eight years that he’s been the chief.
Clerk-Treasurer Jeanine Xaver clarified that the CCD fund is split for funding between the city, fire department and the airport. It receives five cents per $100 of assessed valuation on top of the property tax.
According to statute, the CCD Fund “supports the acquisition of real property and the construction, enlarging, improving, remodeling, repairing or equipping of a municipal building or building, as well as a purpose to protect the public health, welfare or safety in an emergency situation which demands immediate action.”
RDC member Melissa Christiansen asked if TIF funds can be used for the purpose of buying a fire truck since the focus of TIF money is for economic development. Miller responded that a fire truck protects economic development.
RDC President Mike Miley suggested that Chief Miller prepare a proposal that supports an economic development need for the RDC to consider in June before approving funds.
