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Brewton Fire Chief Jeffery Salter is making room for a new fire truck for the department after council members approved the purchase Monday.
Salter told Brewton City Councilors that a new truck would be taking the place of two trucks currently in the department’s fleet.
“The new truck would replace a 23-year-old pumper,” Salter said. “It will actually be replacing two trucks since our next truck is about 30 years old.”
Salter said the current pumper’s age is creating a lot of maintenance time and the new truck would cut down on expenses in the long run.
After the council agreed to the purchase of the $680,000 vehicle, City Clerk Brooke Hartin explained the truck would be available for delivery in 45 to 60 days.
“This price is the best we have seen,” Salter said. “This price is for a 2023 truck and is based on last year’s pricing. Pricing for the trucks has gone up about 20 percent this year. If we were paying this year’s price on the truck, we’d be looking at about $120,000 more. By next year, the price would jump by about $230,000 over the next couple of years.”
Salter said the quick delivery on the new truck, which will be fully equipped, was also a selling point.
“We would have to wait a while if we were purchasing a custom truck,” Salter told the council. “By taking delivery on a stock truck, we can get it quicker. “
In other business, the council
• approved the setting of a public hearing on a liquor license application for Franky’s Downtown;
• approved a demolition bid for a home located at 848 Dacus Street with the award to Pitt’s Dozier at $4,300. Hartin said the home had been on the city’s list for demolition and would move forward with the bid approval;
• reappointed Karen Reynolds to serve on the Escambia County cooperative Library System Board;
• approved the reappointment of Gwen Walton to the Public Library Board;
• approved the reappointment of Anonio Smith to the Recreation Board;
• approved the appointment of Cheryl Ann Stephens, replacing Beulah Mason, on the Housing Board Authority.