Photo by Whitehorse Star
Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Lyslo
Cost of new fire truck could go up by $65,000, council tol
A new fire truck could cost the city $65,000 more than what it had planned to spend, all thanks to changes in the U.S. exchange rate.
A new fire truck could cost the city $65,000 more than what it had planned to spend, all thanks to changes in the U.S. exchange rate.
At Monday's council meeting, deputy fire chief Kevin Lyslo proposed increasing the budget for the fire truck to $721,150 after the quote for the truck came in well over the $675,000 approved in the capital budget.
The city was planning to buy a Safetek rescue/pumper truck, "a full fire pumper with additional hydraulic rescue tools to be used for motor vehicle, entrapment/collapse and rescue incidents,” as Lyslo explained in his report to council.
Safetek officials provided the quote of $661,150 for the truck along with an additional $60,000 for the hydraulic tools.
Lyslo then went on to point out that up until late last year (when the budget was drafted) it was believed $675,000 would be enough for the new truck.
"Recent changes in the exchange rate have increased the price of the apparatus significantly,” he stated. "The value of the Canadian dollar has changed downward by about five per cent since the middle of October 2013.
"This has caused a significant price increase on top of the normal manufacturer's price which was not anticipated and is not under the control of the supplier.”
That left Coun. Kirk Cameron wondering what alternatives there might be for the city, including whether the city could hold off on getting the hydraulic tools for the truck.
He asked how urgent the purchase is.
Lyslo responded by noting that while the truck is needed, as the city's equipment is aging, it could hold off on the tools.
That would likely only inflate the cost in the future when the city purchases the tools, as the truck was set to be "plumbed” to accommodate the hydraulic tools.
Lyslo also told council the selection of the hydraulic tools was based on what the city department can integrate with the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport's fire department as well as what is needed as part of the mutual aid agreement the city has to help other volunteer departments.
Council will vote on whether to enrich its budget for the fire truck next week.
The additional funding would come out of the equipment reserve. A 2.5 per cent contingency is also budgeted into the costs.
Coun. Jocelyn Curteanu was absent from Monday's council meeting.
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Comments (18)
Up 5 Down 6
north_of_60 on Mar 27, 2014 at 10:17 am
It's obvious the new Fire Chief wanted a new toy to go with his new position.
Of course our "Rubber Stamp" Mayor and Council went along with it. It's not THEIR money, why should they care.
Up 7 Down 4
north_of_60 on Mar 27, 2014 at 10:14 am
"When will these people be accountable?"
Never; why should they be accountable?
They know they don't have to be accountable, and they don't care what the voters want, now that they're elected.
Up 4 Down 5
Just Say'in on Mar 26, 2014 at 1:37 pm
Didn't buy Canadian because they wouldn't have got that nice junket to the supplier same as they did with the Bus purchases. When will these people be accountable?
Up 9 Down 4
Judith White on Mar 26, 2014 at 7:37 am
Tell me, whatajoke what part of the public safety building was overpriced and useless?
As the city has grown, we needed more staff and more equipment. Should we park the fire trucks in a snow bank? Should bylaw work from their vans? In an emergency, should officials gather in a tent and communicate by yelling?
We all want more and better from the city, but when they try to deliver, we want them to do it without the funding.
Seriously, anyone who paid attention would agree that the public safety building was needed, and it's certainly not fancy..
For my dollar, I want the best firefighting equipment, and an appropriate building to house it.
Up 9 Down 9
what a joke on Mar 25, 2014 at 7:28 am
What a joke. We can't afford million dollar firetrucks when you haven't even paid off that overpriced, useless safety building. Where does this end? I watched council last night and the pathetic questions posed to the fire chief over this truck was just that, pathetic. All I saw was a bunch of starry eyed councils kissing the outgoing fire chiefs butt. And that's not a knock to Mr. Sparks. Seeing that was the last time he would be in front of council, I have a gut feeling why no hard questions were really asked. As people keep saying, we will just vote them out. Keep saying that year after year. Because no matter who is in council it's the same BS year after year. Spending money this town doesn't have. And raising taxes and taking food out of peoples mouths for all your useless pet projects.
Up 6 Down 5
Yukoner 2 on Mar 24, 2014 at 1:24 am
How can so many people dislike a comment that is just stating a fact and is not offending anybody LOL
Up 10 Down 3
taxpayer on Mar 20, 2014 at 7:15 am
No it did not go to tender
Up 10 Down 8
Yukoner 2 on Mar 20, 2014 at 7:11 am
@flyingfur toughs are body builders not manufactures of trucks. The trucks still come from the US. Most if not all of the products for the body build also come from the US and or dollar has been dropping which hence the $65,000.
Up 4 Down 11
Anon on Mar 20, 2014 at 6:40 am
Caf units are a joke and have no place or use in a municipal fire department.
Up 15 Down 3
Rob S on Mar 19, 2014 at 11:11 am
Safetek IS a Canadian company. The problems are that the sub components (eg. pump and chassis) are not and therefore are directly affected by exchange rates. The price of other Canadian manufactured trucks, like Fort Garry, are also rising by similar amounts.
Up 18 Down 4
Tater on Mar 19, 2014 at 7:42 am
I don't have a problem with the new truck and its cost. It would have been nice if it was Canadian made but as long as it went to tender, the lowest price should be what we're paying.
As far as the need, if the city does not meet a certain standard of protection, the insurance companies will raise our fire insurance rates, so we will pay, one way or another.
And BTW, I think our FD is "first class in its service delivery.
Up 7 Down 5
flyingfur on Mar 19, 2014 at 5:38 am
Yukoner2: As Ralph points out there are at least two that I know of. Fort Garry has been around for almost 100 years making custom-built trucks and Hub, out of Abbotsford have great units as well including some of the best CAF units (compressed air foam) on the market...anywhere.
Up 17 Down 16
Wayne on Mar 19, 2014 at 5:05 am
Taxpayers should not be spending any money at all for the fire truck. If, and until taxes decrease, expenses like this are too much.
Up 10 Down 23
Yukoner 2 on Mar 19, 2014 at 3:48 am
@ flyingfur and just where is this Canadian made truck ?
Up 23 Down 13
Always a Yukoner on Mar 19, 2014 at 1:52 am
Why on earth would they order from the the USA?? I have never heard of anything so stupid and at that cost! Did they not consult BC/Alberta Municipalities, several top of the line trucks there.
Someone should be accountable for this foolish spending!!
Up 21 Down 11
ralpH on Mar 19, 2014 at 12:41 am
@flyingfur, I agree there are at least three options for them in Canada, Hub, Fort Garry, to name two. As far as the truck itself many options. Clear case of self entitlement at the cost of taxpayers. Council do your research and make them buy Canadian!!
Up 27 Down 13
north_of_60 on Mar 18, 2014 at 7:57 pm
These trucks don't get used very much, as compared with other diesel trucks that keep going for hundreds of thousands of miles. Is this really a 'need' or just a 'want' for new toys. Lets see proof that 'aging' justifies replacement.
Why aren't we buying Canadian made Fort Garry Fire Trucks?
Is Council doing it's job to thoroughly scrutinize these purchases or are they just 'rubber stamping' without asking appropriate questions?
Taxpayers deserve to know if their money is being spent wisely. Especially considering Council's frivolous spending habits in the past.
Up 24 Down 20
flyingfur on Mar 18, 2014 at 8:19 am
Buy a Canadian-made truck and it won't be an issue.