How much other funding will the City of Decorah be able to get for its purchase of a $900,000 fire truck?

Members of the City of Decorah's Finance Committee are unanimous in their belief the city ought to buy a $900,000 aerial ladder fire truck from the Indianola Fire Department.  It's getting the money to buy the fire truck they're concerned about.

Finance Committee Chair Randy Schissel says he wants to get the financial backing for the purchase before agreeing to buy the fire truck.  That means continuing to talk with Luther College, Winneshiek County and other sources of financial help.

City officials are trying to make the case that the 115 foot aerial ladder will be useful on the college campus and in rural areas of Winneshiek County, where the aerial ladder would be useful in silo rescues, for instance.

Winneshiek County supervisors have been receptive to helping to cover the cost of the aerial ladder fire truck, while Luther College officials have also listened to the city's presentation.

Now comes the difficult question--"How much are other organizations willing to contribute in order to purchase the fire truck?"  City of Decorah officials plan to meet again with Luther College officials, Winneshiek County supervisors and representatives of area fire departments and townships in an effort to get a better idea of how much of the $900,000 cost can be shared.  They say the other organizations can make their contributions over several years--just as the City of Decorah will have to do when it borrows money for the purchase.