ity officials will ask Ohio University administrators to help fund a new Athens Fire ladder truck and suggest estimated student fees to cover the costs.
At last night's Athens City Council meeting, council members agreed to send a resolution asking university officials to contribute $250,000 to help pay for a new $1.03 million truck.
The resolution suggests the payments be broken down into $50,000 increments over five years.
It is less than a fourth of the cost of a new (truck)
Councilwoman Sherry Coon, D-2nd Ward, said.
If only students living on campus were charged, city officials estimate students would pay an extra $6.59 a year to pay the proposed amount, Councilwoman Chris Fahl, D-4th Ward, said.
If all students were charged, officials estimate students only would pay an extra $2.35, she added.
It would equal about a cup of coffee per student per year Councilman Elahu Gosney D-at Large, said.
City officials are requesting the university's help to fund a new truck because about 85 percent of all 3-story structures in the city limits are on campus, Coon said, adding that the fire department must respond to all calls made from these buildings.
Although city officials are concerned with how to pay for a new truck, they are more concerned that the current 22-year-old truck will not function well enough to provide safety for city residents.
It's not always all about money but offering safety to people in our community Kent Butler, D-1st Ward, said.
Butler added that several students told him they would be willing to pay up to $50 in contributions for a new truck.
Safety to (the students) was a no-brainer
Butler said.
After conducting research, Butler pointed to about five colleges and universities throughout the country that contributed funds to help its city pay for a new fire truck.
I encourage the university to take this very seriously and be a community partner and step up and take responsibility
Fahl said.
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Emily Bowman
