Trenton City Council on Monday night authorized more repairs to a 19-year-old fire department truck. The council also accepted the employee health insurance rates for next year.
Fire Chief Brandon Gibler told the council the American LaFrance white fire truck was taken to an Oak Grove business to diagnose repairs that are needed to the gearbox and the pump housing. Gibler said an estimated cost for repairs is $27,000 which includes $21,000 for parts and $6,000 for labor. This is the same fire truck that received $16,000 worth of repairs on the chassis this summer.
Gibler explained two other options for the council to consider. One is to find a used fire truck that could cost from $200,000 to $300,000. The other is to obtain a 2021 fire truck at a cost of about $474,000. He noted community leasing could be used if the council chose to re-finance the current loan on Trenton’s ladder truck bought three years ago. 12 years remain on that note. The current annual payment for the ladder truck is $51,000 but it would increase to $81,000 if another fire truck was to be purchased.
The council, on a voice vote, approved a motion to have the repairs done.
In response to questions, Gibler said the white fire engine is the first one out of the station whether on a fire call or to do rental inspections. A two-man crew handles the inspections but has the fire truck readily available in case it needs to respond to a fire alarm or to an accident scene when extrication equipment is needed.
Employee health insurance for the city and TMU is with MIRMA – the Missouri Intergovernmental Risk Management Association. It has a self-insurance pool for 25 municipalities.
City Administrator Ron Urton said Trenton’s increase in rates amounts to just under four percent (3.9%) with the new rates effective January 1st. Urton noted some cities in the pool have a maximum increase of 15%, but the average hike for the members is in the single digits. The increased cost to cover 63 employees is $29,580. Three dozen (36) employees are covered on a single plan which has the monthly premium going from the current $733 up to $761which is a $28 increase. Twenty-four others have health insurance coverage for the family, are eligible employees with a spouse, or an eligible employee with children. Three others selected a less expensive health insurance plan which shows the new premium for one person coverage at $626 a month for an increase of $23.00.
The health insurance increase in expenses for next year will be offset by other money that’s expected to be returned.
City Clerk Cindy Simpson explained the previous health insurance was partially self-funded. When all the claims were processed, she reported there was $84,000 available to Trenton. The clerk has requested the previous carrier, the David Hickman Agency, give the money back to the city and the amount will be split equally between the city and Trenton Municipal Utilities. Those funds will be used to afford the $29,000 increase in health insurance costs for the coming year.
City Administrator Ron Urton reported the U.S. flag was removed from the pole at five points downtown when a cable broke. Efforts are underway to replace the cable.
Urton also reported one pipe repair was completed at the river pump station when a second leak started. He noted the piping is 50-plus years old – the same as the piping at the reservoir pump station. Bids are to be opened on November 18th for the river jetty/pump station and for rip rap repairs at the East 28th Street bridge.
The city council also met in a closed executive session for legal and real estate.
