FINANCIAL BUSINESS REQUEST (FBR)
Motion/Request:
title
MOTION to authorize the purchase of a 2015 Ford Utility vehicle in the amount of $12,000 from Account # 21020551-57510 (GFFC CNR Vehicle) and authorize the transfer of $7,500 from Account # 21020551-57300 (GFFD CNR New Equipment) to Account # 21020551-57510 (GFFD CNR Vehicle).
end
Background:
Chief Saccone reports his existing used chief’s vehicle has a dashboard that will not illuminate and the repair cost is significant as compared to the value of the vehicle. He received quotes for used vehicles and feels the 2015 Ford is the best option. The account listed is the CNR account for the Chief’s vehicle replacement (current balance $4500) and Chief Saccone would like to transfer funds from the GFFC New Equipment CNR Account (21020551-57300) to complete the purchase.
Department Comment/Recommendation:
The existing used Chief’s vehicle is aging and beyond reasonable repair. The used vehicle would be a good stop gap measure to allow the build-up of CNR funds. It would be a good idea to combine the Chief’s vehicle funding for both departments into the Fire Apparatus Replacement plan in the future.
Finance Director Comment/Recommendation:
Account # 21020551-57510 (GFFC CNR Vehicle) currently has an available balance of $4,500.
Account # 21020551-57300 (GFFD CNR New Equipment) has a current available balance of $122,754, prior to the proposed transfer.
Mayor Comment/Recommendation:
I support this request. The existing vehicle has served Chief Saccone for many years, but its time has come. The Town does not have an upcoming police cruiser that would be suitable for such a use. As the used car market is still tight, this represents a reasonable purchase price.
Meeting Action Detail:
Town Council Meeting 02/08/2023:
File #: 231118 Version: 1
Type: Financial Business Request (FBR)
Title: MOTION to authorize the purchase of a 2015 Ford Utility vehicle in the amount of $12,000 from Account # 21020551-57510 (GFFC CNR Vehicle) and authorize the transfer of $7,500 from Account # 21020551-57300 (GFFD CNR New Equipment) to Account # 21020551-57510 (GFFD CNR Vehicle).
Moved: Saums Seconded: Ryan
Action: Approved
Minute Note:
Moved by Councilor Saums, seconded by Councilor Ryan
Discussion: Councilor Saums stated the Gales Ferry Fire Chief’s 2004 Tahoe vehicle was aging and it was beyond reasonable repair, noting that it had 167,000 miles on it, and the dashboard no longer lights up, noting that the costs to repair the electronics was more than the value of the vehicle itself. Therefore, he stated the Fire Chief has requested authorization to purchase a used 2015 Ford, which had 67,000 miles on it, as a stop gap measure.
Councilor Saums went on to explain that Gales Ferry Fire Chief Tony Saccone, who was present this evening, received quotes for three used vehicles and felt that the 2015 Ford was the best option noting that they would receive $1,500 for the trade-in of the current vehicle, which would bring the cost to purchase the used 2015 vehicle to $10,500. He noted that Account #21020551-57510 (GFFC CNR Vehicle) currently had an available balance of $4,500; and Account # 21020551-57300 (GFFD CNR New Equipment) had a current available balance of $122,754, prior to the proposed transfer.
Councilor Ryan stated during the Finance Committee’s discussion they agreed that going forward that the funding for the Fire Chief’s vehicles for both Fire Companies (Ledyard Center and Gales Ferry) would be included in the Fire Apparatus Replacement Capital Improvement Plan and that they would further discuss that during the Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Budget preparation.
VOTE: 9 - 0 Approved and so declared
Action: Approved
______________________________________________________________________
Finance Committee Meeting 1/18/2023:
File #: 231118 Version: 1
Type: Financial Business Request (FBR)
Title: MOTION to authorize the purchase of a 2015 Ford Utility vehicle in the amount of $12,000 from Account # 21020551-57510 (GFFC CNR Vehicle) and authorize the transfer of $7,500 from Account # 21020551-57300 (GFFD CNR New Equipment) to Account # 21020551-57510 (GFFD CNR Vehicle).
Moved: Ryan Seconded: Ingalls
Action: Recommend to Approve
Minute Note:
Moved by Councilor Ryan, seconded by Councilor Ingalls
Moved by Councilor Ryan, seconded by Councilor Ingalls
Discussion: Councilor Saums stated the Gales Ferry Fire Chief’s vehicle was aging and it was beyond reasonable repair, noting that it had 167,000 miles on it, and the dashboard no longer lights up, noting that the costs to repair the electronics was more than the value of the vehicle itself. Therefore, he stated the Fire Chief has requested authorization to purchase a used 2015 Ford as a stop gap measure to allow the build-up of CNR funds.
Gales Ferry Fire Chief Tony Saccone noted that he received quotes for used vehicles and felt that the 2015 Ford was the best option noting that they would receive $1,500 for the trade-in of the current vehicle, which would bring the cost to purchase the used 2015 vehicle to $10,500. He noted that Account # 21020551-57510 (GFFC CNR Vehicle) currently had an available balance of $4,500; and Account # 21020551-57300 (GFFD CNR New Equipment) had a current available balance of $122,754, prior to the proposed transfer.
Councilor Ryan questioned with the purchase of the 2015 Ford whether the Gales Ferry Fire Chief’s account would be totally depleted. Mr. Saccone stated that was correct and he noted that in preparing the Gales Ferry Fire Department’s Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Budget that he had included the replacement of the Chief’s Vehicle in the Department’s Capital Plan. Therefore, he stated with purchasing a replacement vehicle at this time that they could remove the vehicle from the Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Capital Improvement (CIP) Budget.
Administrator of Emergency Services Steve Holyfield stated that $4,500 would come out of Account # 21020551-57510 (GFFC CNR Vehicle) and $7,500 would come out of Account # 21020551-57300 (GFFD CNR New Equipment) to purchase the used 2015 Ford. Councilor Ryan questioned whether they would have enough funding in their Capital Accounts for other expenses that may arise for the remainder of this year. Mr. Holyfield stated that they had adequate funding noting Account # 21020551-57300 (GFFD CNR New Equipment) had a balance of $122,754. He suggested going forward that the funding for the Fire Chief’s vehicles for both Fire Companies (Ledyard Center and Gales Ferry) be included in the Fire Apparatus Replacement Capital Improvement Plan. However, he stated they could discuss this idea as part of the Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Budget preparation.
Councilor Ryan questioned the reason the Fire Chief’s vehicles were not previously included in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Mayor Allyn explained at one time the Fire Chief’s received a stipend for the use of their personal vehicle and that this changed overtime, to where both of the Fire Chief’s now have town vehicles and they also receive a stipend for the service they provide.
The Finance Committee thanked Administrator of Emergency Services Steve Holyfield and Gales Ferry Fire Chief Tony Saccone for attending tonight’s meeting.
Mr. Holyfield and Mr. Saccone left the meeting at 5:12 p.m.
Action: Recommend to Approve