Council advances fire-engine borrowing

Crowsnest Pass council has taken the first step toward borrowing up to $1.5 million to replace Fire Engine 3, a truck administration says is important for moving water to fires where hydrants are unavailable.

Council gave first reading to Bylaw 1271, 2026 on Sept. 29 after questioning the proposed purchase cost, the risk of tariff-related increases and whether municipal reserves could cover part of the expense.

The decision starts the borrowing bylaw process. Further readings are required before the municipality can proceed with the purchase, and administration said an order had not been placed.

The proposed financing would be repaid over no more than 10 years, with an interest-rate ceiling of eight per cent. Municipal taxes would cover principal and interest payments.

Administration’s report says the $1.5-million truck purchase was included in the approved 2026 capital budget with debt as its funding source.

During discussion, council members sought more information about the truck’s specifications and how firmly the municipality could rely on the budget estimate. Questions focused on possible cost increases between budgeting, placing an order and receiving the vehicle.

Administration said recent discussions with the supplier indicated the truck remained within budget, but pricing and timing would not be locked in until a purchase order was executed.

The proposed truck would combine frontline firefighting capability with water transport. Administration described a unit that could supply water at a fire and then shuttle additional loads while other apparatus continued pumping at the scene.

That role is particularly important in country residential areas without a pressurized hydrant system, council heard.

Chief administrative officer Patrick Thomas also explained the municipality’s effort to stagger replacement of its fire engines. Buying several trucks close together leaves the municipality facing several aging vehicles at the same time, he said.

The proposed replacement would follow another engine already in production. Administration said spacing out their arrival would help avoid repeating that pattern.

Council also explored using reserves to reduce the amount borrowed. Administration identified reserves as an alternative funding source, while members discussed whether a combination of reserves and borrowing could cover the purchase.

The motion put to a vote was for first reading of the borrowing bylaw. It did not establish a different funding arrangement.

Administration’s report anticipates borrowing in 2028 or 2029, citing a construction lead time of more than two years. During the meeting, administration said funds would be borrowed as needed for payments rather than necessarily drawing the full amount immediately.

The report sets out plans to advertise the bylaw on Oct. 14 and Oct. 21. If no sufficient petition is received during the required petition period, administration plans to bring it back for second and third readings on Nov. 10.