County staff to pursue ambulance remount, present cost and financing options to council

County staff reported that a vendor inspected an ambulance and provided a remount estimate of about $205,000 to transfer existing equipment onto a four‑wheel‑drive F‑series chassis, upgrade the electrical and HVAC systems and refresh emergency lighting. Staff told the meeting remount work would likely require placing the vehicle in a shop for roughly 120 days once work begins and that ordering ahead could push completion into late 2027 if the county does not secure a production slot.

The remount option was presented as a cost‑saving alternative to purchasing a new ambulance: staff said a comparable new unit would cost roughly $370,000 once delivered, and reusing the current box and power‑load equipment reduces total expense. Procurement options discussed included buying through an existing cooperative contract (Sourcewell), direct purchase, or a lease arrangement; staff said they would provide an itemized cost breakdown and noted there are financing and leasing options that could spread payments over several years.

Meeting participants also discussed operating costs and local funding. Staff cited prior federal COVID allocations that paid for two new ambulances and said the service is now back to a normal replacement schedule. Participants reviewed run economics, noting last year gross revenue per run averaged about $438 and that the operation faces an estimated shortfall of about $137 per run. Several attendees suggested approaching townships for contributions to close shortfalls; one presenter said Monroe Township’s fair share would be roughly $3,973 and estimated Washington Township’s share would be larger.

Unidentified members of the meeting emphasized the legal duty to provide ambulance service and the need to avoid downtime that could put residents at risk. After discussion, the meeting moved and approved a staff request to proceed with planning and to present the remount proposal, financing options and supporting documents to the county council at the March 5 meeting so elected officials could consider budget approval.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to approve minutes (procedural): moved and seconded early in the session; approved by voice vote. (see meeting minutes)
- Motion to proceed with remount planning and present to council: mover recorded as Gerald; second recorded as Bubba; vote approved by voice vote. Staff will present details to the council at the March meeting.

What happens next
Staff will provide an itemized quote and financing options, confirm Sourcewell/contract tracks and return to the March council meeting (March 5) to seek budget authority or final approval. If the county orders work early to secure a production slot, staff said contracts would be structured to allow cancellation if the council declines funding before work is performed.