County Commissioner Joe Johnson pulled off the art of the deal this past week, landing his rescue squad a utility vehicle while allowing both the county and city feeling good about themselves.
“I was hoping the city would help,” said second-district commissioner Joe Johnson as he sat before the board of mayor and aldermen wanting to talk a deal on buying one of their old fire department service trucks for the local rescue squad. “The county commission has agreed to pay half, up to $4,000.”
The truck in question was going to be sold online by Smithville Fire Department. The truck would have had to be advertised and something negotiated had a third party wanted to buy it. The truck was purchased 10 years ago by the city at a cost of $10,000, the price leading city aldermen to wonder how much the truck was actually worth. Estimates were that it could fetch up to $8,000 on the open market. Alderman Josh Miller pointed out that the rescue squad serves the entire community and the city could still use the truck if they were left in a pinch.
“It’s a no lose situation,” Johnson said, noting both city and county could have use of the truck if they needed and that the squad serves the entire community.
After a short discussion, the city board voted to donate its $4,000 of equity in the truck and accept the $4,000 from the county.