“Will leave state and local governments more vulnerable to catastrophic incidents” – Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem
July 29, 2025 | Firerescue1.com
In a recent article published by firerescue1.com, the growing concern of budget cuts, especially ones proposed by FEMA regarding grant money and UASI have left state and local governments in a tight spot. Nearly $1 billion in cuts is proposed for grants that provide funding for training, equipment and readiness efforts for public safety agencies. This will directly impact purchases such as PPE, communications, fire apparatus and fire stations as funds typically derived from grant money will have to be pulled from alternative sources.
According to internal memos and FEMA officials familiar with the plan, the proposed budget would eliminate funding for more than half of FEMA’s current emergency management and homeland security grant programs.
CNN Report
Fire Chiefs or procurement professionals alike are no stranger to budgeting concerns as of late. The rising cost of goods, inflation and supply chain constraints have produced a significant uptick in equipment cost and many are experiencing long wait times, some of which are measured in years, not months for essential purchases. As we work with agency’s from across the nation, we’ve seen firsthand how items such as fire trucks have nearly doubled in price with delivery times being 2-3 years out. For departments relying on grants or cash balances, waiting for funds to become available has turned costly and unfortunately put some projects out of reach.
A powerful tool to offset the current economic environment is tax-exempt municipal leasing. This is further amplified with cooperative purchasing from the likes of Sourcewell. At NCL Government Capital, we hold a competitively-bid and awarded contract for leasing and financing. When it comes to purchasing essential equipment for your community, your purchasing power can be increased by as much as sevenfold all while pulling from your existing operating budget.
“Chris and the entire team at NCL Government Capital worked hard to ensure we could finance a new Public Safety radio system for Washington County, Missouri. Without NCL Government Capital, the purchase of this vital Public Safety communications equipment would have not been possible.“
Don Sanderson | Executive Director, Washington County Central Dispatch
Tax-Exempt Municipal Leasing
- Budgeting for finance payments is infinitely easier than trying to tackle the entire purchase amount and you assume ownership from day one
- A tax-exempt municipal lease is the lease expensive form of financing available to government entities and includes non-appropriation language
- No public voter approval required
- The “cost of waiting” far exceeds the perceived cost of financing the project
Departments have a variety of funding needs and institutional constraints. When new equipment & facilities are needed, funds aren’t always available. A Tax-Exempt Municipal Lease allows your department to procure the items they need today through manageable installment payments, often pulled from existing operating budgets keeping capital budgets intact. With our 25 years of experience specializing in government leasing & financing, we do all the “heavy lifting” creating a streamlined approach to your upcoming procurement projects.
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