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Council advances purchase and financing of ambulance; grant sought for AEDs
Summary
Council committees called for legislation to buy a 2027 Ford F-450 ambulance from Pfund Superior Sales for $318,925 (partly funded by a $75,000 local development payment) and to pursue a health‑foundation grant for seven AEDs.
Barberton—s fire department asked council committees to advance contracts and financing for a new ambulance and to approve a grant request for automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
Fire Chief David Palaczek requested legislation awarding a contract to Pfund Superior Sales for the purchase of a 2027 Ford F-450 Lifeline Superliner ambulance priced at $318,925. Chief Palaczek told council the vehicle is a heavier-duty chassis with more room and heavier suspension than a three-quarter-ton model; the department prefers the Superliner body as part of a fleet standardization effort. The department seeks to rotate frontline ambulances on a roughly three-year purchase schedule so vehicles remain within a 9- to 10-year frontline service life before moving to reserve status.
Finance staff explained financing and payment timing: the city expects to make a down payment and put the vehicle on a lease-purchase schedule. Council was told a down payment will be required by March 2026 and lead times for the manufacturer are 12 to 24 months. Councilmember Heideck noted $75,000 of the purchase is expected from a local development agreement (Truesen Farm), reducing the city—s net cost.
Committees also voted to permit the fire department to submit a grant application to the Tuscarora Health and Wellness Foundation to purchase seven AEDs for apparatus and auxiliary vehicles, a package totaling $14,629.72.
Committee action: The Public Welfare and Safety committee called for legislation on both the ambulance procurement and the AED grant and voted to advance financing and down-payment appropriations to the capital budget. Committee members approved emergency wording where requested.
Why it matters: The ambulance purchase is a major capital item for public safety and affects fleet reliability and emergency medical response. Financing timing and the use of a development payment for a down payment were clarified; the AED grant, if awarded, would expand defibrillator coverage in apparatus and auxiliary vehicles.
Key numbers and facts from the meeting: vehicle price $318,925; expected down payment timing by March 2026; estimated frontline service life about nine years; AED grant totaling $14,629.72.
