Iqaluit adds $1.8M fire truck to its shopping list

Iqaluit is looking to buy a new fire truck for $1.8 million.

City council approved the purchase plan Tuesday night as one of 10 amendments to its 2025 capital budget.

With some planned infrastructure upgrades facing setbacks, the municipality is on track to spend less on projects and purchases in 2025 than originally planned.

The city is looking to buy a triple-combination pumper truck to replace a current pumper truck that’s nearing the end of its service life, finance director Peter Tumilty told councillors.

“This is the best estimate we have for the cost,” he said.

“We’re putting it in the plan this year so we can order it. It won’t be delivered until next year.”

A triple combination pumper has a pump and hoses and is equipped to carry water. Tumilty didn’t say which manufacturer the city will buy the new truck from.

The city is also adding a $1.1-million vacuum truck to its shopping list, which would be used for water and sewage services.

Delays in implementing various water and sewage projects will see the city spend less on construction this year.

The budget amendments passed Tuesday will cut a total of $4 million off the city’s capital spending plan. Councillors approved them without making any comments or asking questions.

Last year, council approved a $73.9 million capital budget for 2025. Earlier this year, it voted to increase that to $75.4 million.

On Tuesday, councillors also approved a $175,000 increase to the operating budget, which mostly accounts for salary increases and vehicle maintenance. That change keeps the city operating at a $3 million budget surplus, according to a staff report.