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 to feel good about themselves.

“I was hoping the city would help,” said second-district commissioner 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  the rescue squad serves the entire community and the city could still use the truck if it was 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.