The tariffs put on other countries by our federal government are raising prices for municipalities and fire departments.

At the Eldred Township supervisors meeting on April 16, Kunkletown Volunteer Fire Department fire Chief Brian Stankovich reported that the tariffs have raised the cost of the new tanker they plan to purchase.

“There was a national back-order on 4,000 series transmissions,” Stankovich said, which caused the price increase. “We actually had to resign the contract because our price increased $11,000, because of that.”

The fire department had signed the contract on Dec. 23, 2024, to purchase the tanker.

“It’s the way of the world, so we just got to make the best of it and keep moving forward,” he said

In addition to the new increase, the contract left the price open ended due to the tariffs, because there may be additional price increases. Those are costs the fire department would have to absorb, Stankovich said. They had to agree to those terms in order to move forward with the order.

Robert Boilleau, the chairman of the Planning Commission, asked Stankovich if the fire department will be able to cover a 45% tariff or can they put a limit on the increase.

“That could catch a lot of people off guard. We certainly didn’t budget for it. We can eat the $11,000. We’ll figure that out, but if it goes higher than that, that’s’ gone put us in a hard spot,” Stankovich said. “At that point, we would have to reevaluate it internally and see if we can afford it.”

The fire department has an October 2025 production date for the chassis. Delivery of the tanker is expected in the second quarter of 2026.

The township also is adding to the cost of its purchases due to the tariffs.

The supervisors approved purchasing a generator for the municipal building with three automatic switches. The COSTARS quote is $44,735.

“However, there are contingent tariffs on this device also,” said Supervisor Gary Hoffman, and asked the solicitor Michael Gaul if it was estimated at 10%.

Gaul said the estimated tariffs surcharge is $1,330.

“The quote is from April 14, 2025, and the sale would be pursuant to that COSTARS contract.

The generator is expected to be delivered in 19 to 20 weeks.

The supervisors also approved the purchase of new computers and a second contract with CTL to provide information technology services to the township. The cost of the purchase and services is $14,032.19, plus any tariffs cost that may be incurred.

If the township had opted to lease the equipment and make payments for five years, the cost would have been $17,947.40, said Supervisor Susan McGinty.

“We basically determined that if we go with $14,000 now, we are a little over budget, but we’re not spreading it out over five years and we’re saving the $3,000-plus that we would have incurred in interest over those five years,” she said.

The supervisors also decided that in five years the technology will have changed, and would again need to updated just as payments were ending.

Supervisor Chairman Scott Clark said they did get quotes from other companies in order to get the best price.

The fire department is planning its Firemen’s Festival from May 29 to 31 in the evening at the West End Fairgrounds.

“That supports all four fire companies here in the West End,” Stankovich said.