The Cleveland City Council has agreed to put the brakes on a decision made last month to purchase a new fire ladder truck and change directions.
During a called meeting Monday, the council heard from Cleveland Fire Chief Ricky Pruitt, who said since the approval of a deal to purchase the new piece of equipment, the company has been uncooperative in fulfilling the deal.
In early December, the council decided to award a contract to Peach State/Smeal Holding, LLC, one of only two companies submitting bids.
Chief Pruitt said they tried to work with the company, but they were not cooperative.
“They were still lacking things that FEMA was requiring, and they wouldn’t agree to it,” commented Pruitt.
Chief Pruitt asked the council to rescind their earlier vote and approve a new deal with Sourcewell cooperative purchasing agency. The new fire truck deal will cost a bit more, but Chief Pruitt said it will be worth it, saying, “much quicker delivery and then the truck itself is what I would call a better grade truck than the one we first chose. “
The new purchase agreement approved Monday night will cost the city $2.1 million – $200,000 more than the previous cost. Cleveland should have its new ladder truck by the first quarter of next year, some three years sooner than the previous contract called for.
The city will use a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant of 952-thousand dollars to help with the purchase. The remainder of the cost will come from SPLOST funds.
