The Springdale Fire Department chief says his team needs a new fire engine and helmets, and has asked the city council to spend up to $800,000, NWAOnline.com reported.
The fire department asked the council to approve $753,930 for a new fire engine and $63,000 for 160 new helmets, the report said. Payment for the engine at the time of order saves the city $31,643, a city official said.
The money would come from undesignated money in the city’s budget. The fund held $21 million as of last week, the report said.
The fire department said it would save $8,800 if it buys the 160 helmets together instead of a few helmets at a time, according to the report. Individual helmets cost about $355. Accompanying gear such as the chin strap would come at no cost with a promotion from the company selling the equipment.
The helmet money would come from the Act 833 fund, which returns to fire departments tax money residents pay in their homeowners insurance, fire insurance and property taxes. The fund now holds about $400,000, reported a city official.
The council, meeting as a committee of the whole last week, moved the measure for a vote September 27, the report said.
