Commissioners authorize intent to purchase new ambulance; council sign-off pending

David, a department head responsible for EMS, told commissioners the county has experienced ambulance shortages and outlined steps the council had taken to prepare funds. He said the council approved additional preparation from the LIT fund (about $1.7 million available) and an extra appropriation of $278,500 so the county could take possession of an ambulance already on-site. "The new ambulance quote is 272,270 dollars," David said.

The board moved to approve the purchase pending council approval and discussed logistics for replacing older ambulances, including reusing power-load systems from existing units to reduce costs and options such as auction or trade-in for retired vehicles. Commissioners emphasized this replacement will save maintenance costs over keeping older, frequently out-of-service units.