FEMA grant buys Quincy firefighting equipment

Pull tab tax may be rescinded

QUINCY — On Tuesday the Quincy City Council approved acceptance of $86,407 in federal grant money.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency offered the grant money for firefighting equipment, and will now provide the city with 12 self-contained breathing apparatus units for $52,692 plus tax, a thermal imaging device for about $10,000 and other rescue tools and hoses.

The public safety committee recommended the council accept the money.

The city must now spend $4,321 to match the FEMA grant.

Grant County Fire District No. 3 will use the equipment, but the city will maintain ownership. The district provides fire protection for the city.

Mayor Dick Zimbelman said Fire Chief Don Fortier ordered the equipment Thursday.

In other business, the council reappointed Scott Ramsey and Bonnie Worley to the Police Advisory Board. The council also appointed Jay Knodell to the board.

At the Dec. 17 meeting, the council opted to repeal taxes on amusement and gambling it considered enforcing in November, Zimbelman said. The taxes have been on the books since 1951, but have not been enforced.

"It hasn't been done yet, but we're going to not charge anything for pull tabs, there won't be any tax on them," said Zimbelman.