About The Islander. (St. Simons Island, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 2, 2024)
Page 2, December 2, 2024, The Islander City finance approves fire truck purchase By Pamela Permar-Shierling Last week (Nov. 25) the City of Brunswick finance committee ap proved the $1.7 million purchase of a new fire truck which will replace the city’s current ladder truck. Assistant Chief Laurence Car- gile told the committee that the problems with the current ladder truck are extensive. “It is hard to get parts and keep it in service,” Cargile said. The purchase will be through a lease with Leasing 2, Inc. at an in terest rate of 5.39%. Total interest payment over a 13 year period was calculated at $668,250 which brings the total cost of the new equipment to $2.4 million. However, Asst. County Manager Jeremiah Bergquist told the com mittee that after three years, the city will be able to refinance the truck through GMA (Georgia Mu nicipal Association) at a zero inter est rate. Bergquist also said that SPLOST 2022 will cover the payments for the first three years. After that the payments will be rolled into the general fund. The fire truck is currently under construction, Bergquist said. “We will inspect it at either the end of December or early in January be fore signing off on it. We plan for it to be in service during the first quarter next year.” The committee also discussed an IGA (intergovernmental agree ment) with Glynn County for the construction of the city’s portion of the Fourth St. sidewalk. Glynn County is building a side walk along Fourth St. from Mari ner’s Way to Highway 17. The city needs to repair its portion of the sidewalk from Mariner’s Way west to Altama Ave. The county bid the project and awarded construction to Swindell Construction Co. The city’s portion is $152,522 and the IGA is so the city can reimburse the county for payment. However, it was unclear since the city’s portion is over $100,000 whether the city would have to bid out its own portion of the sidewalk. City Attorney Brian Corry will make sure it is legal for the city to not bid out the construction. “If we have to bid the project, it will definitely slow down the pro cess,” Public Works Director Gar- row Albers on said. Mayor Cosby Johnson said, “We will defer this item until we know for sure that it is legal for the city not to bid the project.” Alberson said that Corry would have an opinion before the next regular commission meeting (Dec. 4) and he would bring it to the com mission at that time. Commissioner Felicia Harris then asked Alberson about the western portion of the sidewalk that would run from Altama Ave. to Highway 341. “We are looking at this portion of the sidewalk,” Alberson said. “The design would be funded through BATS. We may have a design to look at by spring.” Brunswick Fire Department Aerial Enforcer is under construction by Ten-8. The city receives regular progress updates and will inspect the vehicle before accepting it. Assistant City Manager Jeremiah Bergquist said he expects the ladder truck to be in service during the first quarter of 2025. Photo provided by Ten-8 SPIN IT TO WIN IT! FULL CASINO ACTION IN BRUNSWICK, CA! HOP ABOARD & ENJOY FULL CASINO ACTION!
