Staff recommendation is to sell the two 2003 HME fire trucks, units #4061 and #4062. The first truck will be sold to Belfry Fire Department, Bob Johnson, Fire Chief in the amount of $18,000.  The second truck will be sold to Bridger Fire Department, Steve Fendler, Fire Chief in the amount of $18,000.

The City of Billings Purchasing Procedures adopted under Administrative Order 136 section E.2 Surplus Property Disposal, allows for the following methods:

Surplus, worn-out or obsolete material and equipment may be disposed of in any of the following ways:

• By selling or donating to other City Departments through surplus property.
• Through the State of Montana's Surplus Property and Recycling Program
• By cannibalizing or scrapping for parts.
• By trading in on new equipment.
• By advertising for sale and selling at auction, or by advertising and obtaining sealed bids and selling to the highest responsible bidder.
• By receiving three written quotes, and selling to the highest responsible quoting party.
• Junking or recycling
• By special Council approval.

The Fire Department is asking for special Council approval to sell the two 2003 HME fire trucks to two Montana Fire Departments that are interested in purchasing. The Fire Department was contacted by several volunteer fire department in 2021 when City Council approved the replacement of these two units in the Equipment Replacement Program (ERP).  The Fire Chiefs of Belfry and Bridger sent letters of interest in purchasing these units when they were removed from service with Billings Fire and at a price to be determined.  Mark Balter, Fleet Manager researched the cost of similar trucks and found a similar unit priced at $19,000 that remains unsold.  He and Pepper Valdez, Fire Chief determined that the $18,000 price for each of the trucks was fair value and the Fire Departments of Belfry and Bridger agreed. The sale of units #4061 and #4062, HME fire apparatus falls under the City's Surplus Property and Equipment Replacement Plan. 

Billings Fire Department
Belfry Fire Department
Bridger Fire Department

City Council may Approve; or Not Approve the sale.

The $36,000 received from the sale of units #4061 and #4062 HME fire apparatus is returned to the ERP fund.