Fire engine arrives in Othello

OTHELLO — Adams County Fire District No. 5 in Othello received its new fire engine Wednesday.

Othello City Council approved the purchase of the $522,000 engine in mid-February.

The engine was purchased early in an effort to save money in the future.

For several years, council sat aside $50,000 per year for a fund anticipating to purchase the engine when it was needed. Eventually the fund was becoming large enough to make the purchase, but due to changes in emissions standards, the average price for the equipment increased dramatically at the same time. The increase was expected to outpace the funds set aside for the equipment.

To remedy the issue, council approved to spend money in the fire engine fund combined with money from the utility fund. More than $100,000 was pulled from the utility fund for the purchase.

The utility fund had more than $1 million at the beginning of 2007 and can be used for multiple reasons including unexpected purchases.