Is Georgetown Fire "Guilding the Lily"?

The Fire Chief is requesting approval of the City Council to spend $1,715,000 on two new pieces of fire equipment. An engine/pumper truck and a rescue truck. Remember the City is currently taking delivery of a $1.4M hook and ladder truck.

Here is a typical engine/pumper.

Rescue Vehicle – Commonly referred to as a Rescue Company, this type of specialty truck is basically a toolbox on wheels.  These trucks can help extract vehicles during a traffic collision, help with rope rescues, enter confined spaces and/or assist during a building collapse, for example.

These fire trucks are being purchased through Buy Board, which is a cooperative organization.

The overall objective of the Cooperative is to provide a mechanism for all local governments in Texas to pool their collective purchasing power. Cooperatives save money in two primary fashions: the price of the product purchased and/or in the administrative cost savings from eliminating a formal bid/proposal process. Of course, there are no guaranteed savings, but cooperative buying power is a time-tested method of savings.

The question remains unanswered as to whether or not these coops actually save money for a city the size of Georgetown. Georgetown could run a competitive bid process that would result in the lowest price. It is certainly less effort for the Chief and his staff to purchase through the Buy Board and also it does not generate much visibility for the citizens.

This purchase is on the legislative agenda for tomorrows council meeting and any inquisitive citizen can attend and comment or ask questions.