by Benjamin Chase
of the Plainsman
HURON – After a brief regular meeting, the Huron City Commission discussed the strong need for a replacement ladder truck for the Huron Fire Department.
Huron Fire Chief John Miller explained to the commission that a new truck that is customized would likely be three years out before it’d come in, but some companies are now building “stock” trucks to fill the gap, and those stock trucks could meet the needs of the Huron department.
Miller presented options to lease or to buy, with a new cost exceeding $1.5 million for a stock truck and more for a customized truck. After explaining lease options, Commissioner Bryan Smith did some quick math and explained that over a 10-year lease, the city would pay nearly an additional $500,000 in interest.
That turned the discussion toward a new truck, but financing a large purchase like this will take some maneuvering, and Commissioner Rich Bragg stated that the discussion has already begun in the Capital Assets Committee on that potential case.
No official action was taken, but Miller was encouraged to utilize Sourcewell bids for the truck to meet bid law.
The commissioners approved a hold harmless agreement between the Huron Public Library and the City of Iroquois for the installation of a mailbox drop box for book return outside the Iroquois City Hall. The agreement is similar to the agreement with Wolsey on the box placed there last year that Library Director Angela Bailey reports is getting consistent use.
Commissioners also approved a Placer AI contract cost-share for $2,160 to come from the promotion and community development portion of the Mayor’s budget.
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