Council weighs lease vs. purchase of municipal AEDs; staff proposes eight devices for city buildings

Council members questioned whether to lease AEDs or buy them outright. Chief Williams explained that the initial lease quote includes tracking, replacement and service, which provides immediate coverage for devices and rapid replacement if one is missing or damaged. "The initial reason for lease was it just all encompasses. They track them. If 1 goes missing or damaged, they come out the next day and replace it," Chief Williams said.

After running numbers with the city manager, Williams said purchasing could become financially advantageous around year three, especially if the devices are placed inside buildings rather than in unmonitored parks. Staff proposed eight devices allocated across City Hall, the police department, the Family Life Center, public works, the animal shelter and recreation spaces; chief and council agreed staff could prepare final options for packet exhibits showing both purchase and lease scenarios.