The Ottumwa City Council has reversed course on a proposed purchase of two additional vehicles for the Ottumwa Fire Department following questions about the department’s need for the vehicles, the purchasing process and how the expenditure should be funded.
The proposal called for the purchase of two 2026 fleet vehicles at a combined cost of $86,326. The vehicles were not intended to replace existing fire department vehicles. Instead, they would be assigned to the Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief.
Under the proposal, the Chief and Deputy Chief’s current vehicles would become backup units. Those vehicles could be used when other vehicles are undergoing maintenance, when additional transportation is needed, or when the department needs to pull its boats.
The city had previously budgeted $120,000 for Fire Department fleet needs. However, council members questioned whether having money included in the budget automatically meant the funds should be spent on the proposed vehicles.
The request also prompted questions about the city’s purchasing procedure. Council members asked whether the department’s need should first be established, followed by Fleet Committee approval, confirmation of available funding and then final approval by the City Council.
It was also noted that the Fire Department had brought the vehicle request before the Fleet Committee the previous year, where it was rejected. When council members asked whether the Finance Director and Fire Chief had been present at that meeting, they were told neither had attended.
During the discussion, one suggestion was to purchase only one vehicle rather than two. Another concern was whether the city should wait until the new Finance Director could review the proposed purchase and advise the council on the appropriate funding.
One council member summarized the concern by stating, “Just because you have it budgeted doesn’t mean we should spend the money.”
The council initially approved the purchase by a 3-2 vote. However, the following morning, one council member rescinded their vote.
That change resulted in a second vote of 2-3, leaving the purchase without enough support to move forward.
