(A story in Wednesday’s Salisbury Post misidentified Kannapolis Deputy City Manager Eddie Smith as Fire Chief Tracy Winecoff.)

KANNAPOLIS — During its work session meeting on June 10, the Kannapolis City Council approved to enter into a contract agreement for the purchase of a new fire engine for the fire department. 

Kannapolis Deputy City Manager Eddie Smith said two of their fire apparatuses have needed to be replaced “for a long time.” This past Friday, Smith advised one of Kannapolis’ leading fire equipment manufacturers, Seagrave, contacted multiple fire departments to inform them of a fire engine in production that another department ordered, but later canceled. Smith said whoever signs the contract first will receive the engine. 

Since the order is currently being processed, Smith said the wait time for the engine is one-and-a-half years, significantly less than the standard time, and that the price comes in at $975,000. 

Besides signing off on the contract, city council also had to allow for fund balance to be appropriated so Finance Director Brian Roberts could confirm the city has the money to pay for the engine. Smith said once the delivery date draws nearer, short-term financing might be the best option for funding the engine. According to the meeting’s agenda packet, there is a “placeholder of $3 million” for each fiscal year from 2026-2029 to finance short term.

Fire Chief Tracy Winecoff said he expects the engine to be delivered in 500 days and the city confirmed “to the best of our knowledge,” they are the first in line to acquire it.