Preparations for the town's annual Cinco de Mayo celebration, to be held Saturday, May 4 at Petrack Park, are under way with the Pahrump Town Board's approval of funding $5,000 for the event at its March 25 meeting.

Up to $2,000 will be allocated from the town's room tax fund for advertising and $3,000 will be taken from the state's room tax fund to be used for entertainment.

The board also approved putting a 10 percent deposit down on a used fire truck from Colorado to replace a 1982 fire engine here that recently failed the annual underwriters laboratories test.

The used truck can be purchased for $100,000, but additional costs may be tacked on up to an additional $30,000.

Chief Scott Lewis will inspect the vehicle prior to committing to a purchase.

The truck is a budgeted item and will be funded through the town's general fund.

The town Buildings and Grounds Department will soon have a new 2008 Dodge Ram pick-up truck with a utility box since the board approved of a bid from Carson Dodge-Chrysler of $36,843.

The upgrade was necessary to safely pull increased trailer load, and will be replacing a 1983 step van.

The funding will come from the department's capital improvement fund within the town general fund.

Daniel C. McArthur was approved as the town's external auditor at the board meeting as well.

McArthur has been the town's auditor since 1995 and is also the external auditor for the county and the school district.

The town is required to approve an external auditor through the Department of Taxation.

Beer will be served at the Fall Festival this year by three nonprofit organizations selected through a random lottery drawing last year.

Brew will be available from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10054, the local Disabled American Veterans chapter and the Pow-Wow committee.