Agenda Item Wording:
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Fiscal Year 2025-26 State budget funding request - Confirm the submittal of a State budget funding request of Senator Melissa Hurtado in the current 2025-26 Fiscal Year for the replacement of a fire apparatus.
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Agenda Date: 5/18/2026
Submitting Department: Administration
Prepared by:
John Lollis, Assistant City Manager, John.Lollis@visalia.gov, (559)713-4323
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council confirm the submittal of a State budget funding request of Senator Melissa Hurtado in the current 2025-26 Fiscal Year in the amount of $1,009,200 for the replacement of a quintuple combination pumper fire apparatus.
Summary:
Confirm the City's submission of a State budget funding request of Senator Hurtado in the current 2025-26 Fiscal Year in the amount of $1,009,200 for the replacement of a fire combination pumper fire apparatus.
Background Discussion:
Given better than expected State budget news announced on May 14th as part of the Governor's May Revise, there exists the potential for the consideration of limited one-time capital project funding requests in the current 2025-26 Fiscal Year, which has been solicited of the City by Senator Hurtado's Office specifically in support of the Visalia Fire Department.
The Fire Department has identified the need for additional funding toward the acquisition and replacement of a 2004 quintuple combination pumper fire apparatus. The vehicle met the City's replacement criteria for the 2022-23 Fiscal Year, however, Fire Department Administration elected to defer replacement at that time given the vehicle remained mechanically reliable and operationally safe. This decision reflected the Department's commitment to fiscal stewardship and maximizing the useful life of taxpayer funded assets whenever responsibly possible.
Over the past four (4) years, national fire apparatus has experienced significant cost escalation due to inflation and supply chain issues causin...
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