It looks like the City of Indianola is putting some emergency extrication equipment on the back burner until further notice. During last Thursday’s board meeting, Fire Chief Orlando Battle made a pitch for the city to upgrade several pieces of equipment, particularly the “Jaws of Life” that is used to extricate victims after automobile accidents. “Rescue tools, Jaws of Life, cutting tools, everything you need for vehicle extrication, search and rescue equipment, etc,” Battle said. “Our equipment is roughly about 25 years old. It’s just time.” Stephanie Washington, the city’s financial consultant, said, “I believe we received the quotes and everything. It just was not placed within the actual budget. I’d just ask for a budget amendment for the purchase of the rescue equipment.” Ward 5 Alderman Sam Brock said, “If we keep amending the budget, we aren’t going to have anything to amend. Back when we were doing the budget, that should have been brought up then.” Battle told the board the rescue equipment was placed within the budget. Brock said, “So, why do we have to amend the budget? Battle said, “I’m not sure, cause here it is – October 23 it was on the budget sheet; it was left out.” Brock said, “It wasn’t left out.” Battle said, “It had to have been, because it was there October 23 when we approved the budget. Like the mayor said, the budget was approved, and that was item number 16 on the budget approval docket. It was just left out, and I don’t control it.” Ward 1 Alderman Gary Fratesi asked where the funds are coming from to pay for the equipment, even if the board decides to amend the budget. Washington said, “When something is not approved during the original budget, you have no other option but to get the money out of the bank (general fund).” Fratesi said, “We don’t need to be spending any of our reserves. We are amending the budget true enough, but we are taking the money out of our savings account. No, we can’t do that, and that is why I continue saying the budget that we passed, no one knows what is in it. And now we are finding out what is in it as we go down the road and we keep spending.” Featherstone added, “Chief, I am not certain what happened during the budget meetings, why that was not added in. What we can do is, we have another budget season coming up and we will make certain.” Battle interrupted and said, “All I am saying is our equipment is old. It’s very hard.” Featherstone replied, “25 years, and we totally understand the criticality of your equipment. We are not saying ‘No.’ We are just saying not right now. We have to make it make sense.” Ward 3’s Ruben Woods asked if Battle could sacrifice something from his budget. Battle said, “The way you all just said it, our budget is screwed up, so I doubt it. Everything in my budget I need.” City Attorney Derek Hopson Sr. said, “I would like to work with Ms. Washington. It seems as if you all have had several amendments throughout this budget year, and I am just wondering if you all republish it at some point or if you all met that overall threshold that the state law requires to do republishing.” Hopson told the board that he is willing to work with Washington on that issue so that the city does not get to that point. No board action was taken. The Indianola Police Department was approved for a new 2024 transport van. Assistant Chief Earnest Gilson presented to the board the truck’s use and why it is needed. Gilson said, “We need this van to transport to and from the court. We have several prisoners to transport, and we need a van.” Woods asked if the van would be purchased under the state contract. Gilson said, “Yes, it is under the state board contract.” The board spoke with Washington, making sure they have the funds to cover the purchase of the transport van. Washington said, “There is money remaining. It was $135,006. I believe that it may be purchased for a vehicle – just not a spider or an ATV.” Ward 1 Alderman Gary Fratesi said, “I heard $135,000. How much do we have in the vehicle purchasing bank account?” Washington said, “As of today $135,006.” Fratesi interrupted and said, “No, ma’am, that is wrong. The Chief is there. When we were going to buy the spiders, we were told there were 50-something thousand left. We need to re-look at how much money we have.” Washington said, “The money that I am referring to – there was a $400,000 payment and they purchased vehicles that totaled $264,994.” Fratesi told Washington that he would like for her to recheck the account to make sure that everything is in good standing. Fratesi said, “I would like for you to look through the records again and even speak with the Chief (Police Chief Ronald Sampson). I am not saying that my memory is perfect.” Washington replied, “I will double-check it. And I will get with him in the morning.” The board approved the transport van, with Ward 4 Alderman Marvin Elder and Ward 5 Alderman Sam Brock both voting against it.
