BYRON -- City Council barely passed Monday a divisive resolution to advertise for bids on a new fire truck.

Councilman Mike Chumbley, chairman of the council’s finance committee, said the bid and its lengthy, 71-page requirements document should be approved so the city could get definite cost estimates. He said after bidding was complete, the city would not be obligated to accept a bid or purchase a truck.

Chumbley said a fire truck as outlined in specifications could cost about $300,000 without equipment and would hold the city in good stead for 20 years despite unknown variables in years ahead.

Councilman Michael Chidester questioned the plan, saying he was not well enough informed to be for or against the truck as outlined. He questioned the need for a fire truck with a custom chassis and five- to six-man seating capacity as outlined in the bid, saying it might be what was needed in New York but might not be what Byron needs.

The council discussed numerous aspects of the fire truck, including the fact a major aspect of any new fire truck would be to help lower insurance costs to businesses and residents by allowing a lower insurance rating.

The council heard a seven-page summary of the bid from Fire Chief J.D. Mosby. Mosby said though bid requirements might seem beyond current needs, the particular specifications were what is needed to satisfy insurance rating demands.

Chidester maintained that without knowledge of the fire department’s plan for the next five or more years, he wasn’t convinced seeking bids now is a good idea.

Chumbley called for a vote on the matter, maintaining that passing it would bring in usable figures and that research into exactly what was available to the city would continue. Councilman James Richardson seconded the motion, and he and Chumley provided the measure’s initial two votes. Chidester voted against it along with Councilman Farrell Bass. Since Councilman Mark Waters was not present at the meeting to vote.

In light of the tie, Mayor Larry Collins voted yes to break the 2-2 tie. Officials said the bid will be advertised in April.

In other business, the council agreed to look at an ordinance suggested by Jimmy Walker, chairman of Byron’s development authority, that would regulate off-road vehicles in the city.

Walker said Peach County recently adopted such a measure and that it was needed in Byron to help prevent ATVs, and other vehicles from riding along roadsides and harming road edges as well as from using and potentially ruining private property -- such as land being developed by the authority -- without permission.

The measure received favorable comments from the council and will be looked at by council’s legislative committee.

Also Monday, the council approved a resolution to introduce legislation in the current legislative session concerning annexation of a portion of Housers Mill Road by Byron and the necessary de-annexation of it by Fort Valley.

The same action was taken during last year’s legislative session but was not approved due to a legislative procedural oversight.

Contact Michael W. Pannell at mwpannell@gmail.com.