Bradley County Commissioner Ed ElkinsCLEVELAND, Tenn. – A $2 million price tag for fully equipping three new fire stations with pumper and tanker trucks generated lively discussion among Bradley County Fire Board members.
On Thursday, the board voted 5-0 to recommend the County Commission approve funding for six firetrucks through a bond issue for the lowest bids received. County Commissioner Ed Elkins, who serves on the board, passed on the vote after expressing sticker shock.
“We’re going to have to do something, guys,” board member Briant Berry said. “Time is almost on top of us.”
Bradley County Fire and Rescue requested bids for three pumper trucks and three tanker trucks for stations planned for Minnis Road, Dalton Pike and Georgetown Road – all of which are scheduled to be fully operational by June 2013.
The lowest bid received for pumper trucks was $478,447 each; the lowest bid received for tanker trucks was $215,900 each.