The Modesto Bee reported that Modesto’s fire department put a $5.4 million proposal to lease five new fire engines and two ladder trucks from PNC Equipment Finance on hold after questions were raised by new city council members.

The Bee said the proposal calls for Modesto to lease the engines and trucks from Pierce Manufacturing and PNC Equipment Finance over 10 years.

The Bee noted city officials say the proposal addresses a critical need to replace aging fire apparatus that costs too much to maintain and do it in a way that doesn’t break the fire department’s budget.