Fire District 4 Approves Fire Truck Purchases

Voters in Fire District 4 approved a referendum Tuesday to purchase two new fire trucks, with a vote of 34 to 0.

"I think that's a pretty good turnout for a Tuesday night special meeting," said Fire District Commissioner Allen Kurdyla.

And when the vote was announced during the special meeting held at the Finderne Fire Company, Kurdyla said, everyone in the audience applauded.

Fire District 4 encompasses the Finderne Fire Company.

The district was requesting approval to purchase a triple combination pumper fire apparatus and a 100-foot aerial platform fire apparatus.

The request is for $1.25 million.

The next step, Kurdyla said, is to receive bids for the trucks, with the bids being opened Thursday. Then, he said, they will submit information to the Department of Community Affairs, and meet with a representative to review the plans.

Taxes are not rising based on this request—this request is budget neutral and will not change what was approved in the February elections at all.

A couple years ago, the district started saving money to its capital fund, knowing that it would have to replace trucks.

They have saved roughly $700,000 so far in the capital fund for the purchases, and they are anticipating a seven-year payment plan.

"But this is a major step in the process," Kurdyla said of the vote.