Falmouth City Council approves the purchase of fire truck, Klee property Request for Qualifications

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    Falmouth City Council  approved the mayor to to execute documents that led to the purchase of a fire truck from Piner Fire Department. The truck is 12 years old, and it has 4500 miles and 850 hours. Representatives of the fire department and Council Person Luke Price explained to the council and those in attendance that a new truck without equipment costs approximately $280,000. Piner Fire Department priced this truck at $120,000, and it could be brought out for a run immediately upon its acquisition because all necessary equipment is on the truck for that price.
    Council Person Amy Hurst asked if this new acquisition would likely reduce the maintenance costs for the department. Price and the firefighters explained that one truck alone had cost them the equivalent of one year’s payment for this truck, so all representatives of the fire department felt this purchase would ultimately save the department quite a bit of money in the long run.
    Mayor Ron Stinson stated that the department would possibly look to buy a new truck within the next two years. Council  Person Price suggested that the department look into ordering a new truck within the next year because the trucks take a year to build. The age of the fleet recommends purchases.
    The approval for the purchase was unanimous. Council Person Dave Klaber was not present.
    Council also discussed the ongoing agreements with the Pendleton County Recreation Commission and the New Hope Center. A former administration had agreed that the city would pay each entity’s utility bills as a donation toward the work that they do. City Clerk Ramona Williams stated that the records would be clearer if the city would write each entity a check for a donated amount, and then each entity could pay its utility bills from that in order to keep records with better integrity.
    Council Person Price asked, “Why are we as a city paying for something that is a county entity?” He reminded the council that the city residents pay county taxes for recreation, as well, so that city residents pay for recreation twice. He also mentioned that city residents pay the same participation fees as county residents although they are charged both county and city taxes. He did concede, though,  that the city has an equal number of representatives to the commission as do the school system and the county, both of which pay more.
    The initial agreement was set up to fund the salary for the head of recreation.
    Council Person Amy Hitch suggested that the council donate a flat amount and let the commission pay their own utilities. She suggested the same for the New Hope Center.
    After more discussion, Mayor Stinson stated that he can amend any agreement Supt. Joe Buerkley sends and can submit the proposed agreement and amendments to Council.
    Director of Economic Development Bill Mitchell presented the final Request for Qualifications to Council regarding the development of the former Klee property on US 27. The council unanimously approved the mayor to execute the documents related to the Catalytic Group agreement.
    Council also heard the first reading of ordinance to set the annual tax rate. Mayor Stinson explained that the comp rate would increase this year due to the loss of taxes from Transitions which became a non-taxable entity during the last fiscal year. He explained the new comp rate would bring in last year’s revenue, and the “general fund was solid with that.”
    Council will have a special meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 5:00 p.m. in order to vote on the tax rate.
    Halloween will be door-to-door trick-or-treat only this year. Council will share suggestions to adhere to for those who wish to hand out candy.
    Council entered closed session for discussion of real estate. No action was taken.
    The next caucus of the council will be Oct. 6, 2020 at 6:30. The public is invited to attend.