A “check engine” light has caused a major headache for the Morongo Valley CSD, who held a special meeting last night (February 24) to discuss whether to repair or replace a fire truck. Reporter Jef Harmatz recaps the meeting.
At last night’s special meeting, the CSD Board of Directors received a report that one of the Morongo Valley Fire Department’s fire trucks was in need of a mechanical diagnosis and possibly a lengthy and expensive repair. Fire Chief and General Manager Jim Brakebill reported that, due to supply chain issues, repairs to the truck’s engine could possibly take several months and cost upwards of $20,000. The board voted to further pursue diagnosing the engine issue with an eye toward repair and to lease a replacement truck for the next 30 days at a cost of $6000. The Board of Directors also considered naming Morongo Valley’s new playground after former Board Director Chuck Osborne, ultimately tabling the issue in favor of more community input. A grand opening ceremony for the playground is currently set for March 11. Finally, board directors entered a ninety-minute closed session to discuss anticipated litigation, though no actions from that session were reportable to the public.
