Council okays fire truck purchase
By Melinda L. Lucas
With all five council members present, Albany city officials worked through four major agenda items at this week’s monthly meeting, including approval of a fire department request to purchase a $220,000 truck with donated funds.
A 2023-2024 budget totaling $3,703,700 passed unanimously, prior to the city’s new fiscal year which begins April 1.
Also accepted was the 2021-2022 audit report and an updated capital improvements budget presented by city manager Billy Holson.
“New” AVFD Vehicle
Albany fire chief Travis Gardenhire told council members that two of the volunteer fire department’s often-used vehicles – a 1987 Chevrolet “brush/utility” truck and a 2005 Ford “rescue” truck – both need to be replaced.
“They are becoming a mechanical hazard to us, and it’s time to stop dumping money into them,” he said. “A donor said he would help if we could come up with some of the money.”
The donor has pledged a minimum of $175,000, and Gardenhire asked that the rest come from the “restricted” account, which is overseen by the council, of funds donated specifically to the fire department.
Because of the disastrous 2022 Texas fire season, regional sources of fire vehicles will be concentrating for two to three years to equip departments that actually lost trucks in wildfires.
Because of that delay, AVFD officers have been searching for a used vehicle all over the United States, recently locating a 2022 Dodge diesel 5500 in Oregon.
Department members voted to purchase the truck at a meeting last week.
“We are asking for $45,000 out of the restricted account to put with what the donor is giving,” said Gardenhire.
Although Holson said he didn’t know exactly how much was in the account, he stated that “there is plenty” to cover the request.
“The 2005 truck was actually an ambulance in Stamford before it came here as a rescue truck,” said council member Austin Sherwood. “After seeing it, I will feel a lot safer if we replace it.”
Sherwood made a motion to approve the purchase, seconded by Lester Galbreath. It passed unanimously.
Gardenhire and AVFD captain Joel Viertel plan to fly to Oregon and drive the truck back to Texas.
After the vote, Viertel told the council about some short- and long-range plans for the department.
He also commended long-time rural fire department member Kristi Brooker, who died this month of cancer, commenting that she was a “tremendous asset for both departments and is already missed.”
Budget Adoption
Following the required public hearing, Lynsi Musselman made a motion, seconded by Don Taggart, to adopt a balanced budget totaling $3,703,700.
Holson reviewed the document, which is about $230,000 more than last year’s original budget.
The revenue side includes $568,300 from the city’s reserve fund, Holson noted.
He added that he was “pleased with the budget” and that much of the work had been done by city employees Brian Holson, Michael Graham, Tiffany Nall, and Kenisha Lucas.
Holson also told council members that he had considered including raises in water and sewer rates, but eventually decided to base numbers on current rates.
“I know we’re lower than anybody else around, but I think right now, we’re all right,” he said.
2021-2022 Audit
Water rates were also mentioned during auditor Cameron Gulley’s report.
“Your rates are incredibly low compared to anybody else around,” said Gulley, who advised that the city may be “bumping up against needing to raise rates.”
He stated that the city is in good financial shape, with refinancing of the water plant bond saving close to $900,000 and donated monies giving the city the “luxury of not having to pinch pennies before property taxes start rolling back in.”
Other Business
•Holson presented a capital improvements budget for 2023-2024 totalling $854,000, including 600 new digital water meters, street and sewer line improvements, and water plant repairs.
•Two spring cleanup days on April 1 and April 22 were approved, with roll-offs provided.
