EUNICE, La. — The Eunice City Council will discuss purchasing a new ladder truck for the Eunice Fire Department with a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as well as restarting utility disconnects for overdue bills during Tuesday’s city council meeting.
According to Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot, the city will pay 10% of the $663,636 of the FEMA grant - or $66,363,60 - for a total of $729,999.60.
The new fire truck will replace a 1972 ladder truck that has been in service for 48 years, Fontenot says. The new truck will have a longer ladder than the older one at 75 feet, which will help the city improve it’s fire rating.
“We are very happy,” said Fontenot. “It’s something that needed to be done 20 years ago, but we are getting it done today.”
Fontenot says that with the award amount, the city has begun the process to receive the new ladder truck which it should have in about six months.
The council will also discuss restarting utility disconnects for customers with overdue bills.
According to Fontenot, the city decided to suspend utility disconnects back in March due to the pandemic. He said the city has more than $16,000 in outstanding utility bills. There are about 5,000 total customers in the system, but Fontenot says that not all of them are delinquent.
The council will vote on whether to set an Oct. 16, 2020 start date to restart disconnects.
The St. Landry Parish Community Action Agency will also be scheduling appointments for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) on Wednesday, Sept. 9 starting at 8 a.m. to help those who are still unable to pay their utility bills. Residents may call 337-948-3651 to schedule an appointment.
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