New firetruck due in Scott City in September

One of the primary benefits of a quarter-cent sales tax voters approved in 1999 is expected to roll into Scott City in mid-September.

The city's new $191,000 firetruck should be ready to go into service a week after its delivery, Scott City fire chief Jay Cassout says.

Monday, the Scott City Council approved an $81,000 lease-purchase agreement with Security Bank and Trust Company that will provide the city with the remainder of the money needed to buy the truck. The city already has $110,000 in its account from the firefighting sales tax. The loan from the bank will be paid off by the firefighting sales tax before it expires in 2005.

The truck was ordered last October from a Camdenton, Mo., manufacturer, Precision Fire Apparatus, the low bidder. Cassout said buying from a Missouri company has been advantageous because the city's apparatus committee has been able to make easy trips to check out the truck before its delivery.

The city will keep its oldest truck, a 1981 Ford, in reserve.

Because only four members of the council were present at Monday night's meeting, Mayor Tim Porch advised tabling two other bills on the agenda: An ordinance amending the city code relating to the operation of nonmotorized scooters and an ordinance prohibiting the delivery or concealment of contraband in the city jail.

sblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182