Oconto Falls council approves fire truck purchase

OCONTO FALLS – The Oconto Falls City Council has approved the purchase of a used 2002 fire engine, capping a weeks-long discussion over cost, condition and long-term planning for the city’s fire protection needs.

At a special council meeting on Jan. 19, the council voted to authorize the fire department to acquire the 2002 engine for an amount not to exceed $40,000.

The vehicle, currently in Egg Harbor, will replace the department’s aging 1995 engine, which has increasing maintenance concerns and structural issues that make long-term investment in it less practical.

Fire department leadership explained that the 2002 engine offers several advantages over the 1995 unit.

The newer truck has better mileage, a larger water tank and a pump with greater capacity than the 1995 engine while remaining compatible with the department’s existing nozzles, fittings and operational layout.

The truck has a six-person cab, similar to the department’s 2005 engine, and is powered by a Cummins engine familiar to the city’s firefighters and mechanics.

Service records from Red Power Diesel, which has maintained the truck since it was new, indicate consistent annual maintenance, pump testing and inspections.

While there is some surface rust underneath, council members were told that the overall condition is notably better than the 1995 engine and comparable to the city’s 2005 engine.
Tires and brakes are reportedly in good condition, with an estimated two years of useful life remaining.

Afterwards, the council discussed additional financing options.

The remaining gap — estimated at up to $15,000 — will be handled through borrowing, with the council authorizing city administrator Pete Wills to secure a loan not to exceed that amount. The loan is expected to feature a deferred first payment, easing pressure on the 2026 budget.

A key point of debate was whether to use general fund reserves or rely on borrowing and eventual sale of the 1995 truck. Several council members expressed concerns about the city’s fund balance and preferred to protect it in case of unforeseen expenses.

The compromise approved by the council allows the purchase to move forward while requiring the fire department to either raise sufficient funds to repay the borrowed amount or sell the 1995 engine within 120 days.

Proceeds from any sale are intended to restore city funds used for the purchase.

Fire officials also discussed a longer-term strategy of refurbishing the city’s newer engines to avoid the significantly higher cost of purchasing a brand-new apparatus.

They noted that timely refurbishment and underbody protection can extend the life of trucks and prevent extremely expensive frame rail replacements.

With the vote, the council aims to maintain reliable fire protection for both the city and its contracted townships, while balancing fiscal caution with the operational reality that front-line apparatus must remain safe, functional and dependable.