County Board discussing new fire boat and expanded taxing authority during July 2019 meeting
Koochiching County will help the agency responsible for fire protection in the county’s rural areas purchase a new fireboat.
The County has agreed to provide the Rural Fire Protection Association with a loan of up to $90-thousand dollars.
Association’s office manager Dana Hartje says an initial quote for the vessel came in at $150-thousand.
“The board’s desire is to keep it as economical as possible and still fall in with the items that are needed to make this function,” says Hartje.
The fire chief with International Falls Fire department has been advising the association on the type of equipment the vessel should have.
Repayment of the loan would take place over five years.
Association rep Randy Pozniak says they’d be in a position to make their first payment on the loan next July.
New cash flow will be generated to make that payment. So if the boat comes in at 150-170 (thousand) we know it’s going work out really well,” says Pozniak.
The Association received County approval earlier this year to expand its taxing authority to includes several island properties on the Minnesota side of Rainy Lake to help pay for the boat.
The Association says it will help with their ability to respond to fires and other emergencies on Rainy Lake and other area waters.
