Safety service director flags elevator replacement uncertainty and revises ambulance projections, seeks maintenance savings

The Safety Service Director told the Lorain City Council finance subcommittee on Jan. 13 that the department’s expenses can be trimmed in some areas but that the city faces an uncertain, potentially large cost to repair or replace an aging elevator in a municipal building.

The director said maintenance-of-facility spending could be reduced from the temporary budget level but cautioned that elevator work remains an open question; he said he expected to receive more detailed quotes in the coming weeks. A departmental representative later told the meeting that even with quotes in hand, parts lead times may delay work until late 2025.

On ambulance services, the director described a $550,000 line item in the budget but said recent monthly invoicing and historical averages suggest the full-year cost will be closer to $455,000. The department reported a November invoice of $30,618 and an average of about $37,000 per month over the last six months.

The administration said it is pursuing additional revenue by working with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office to collect non-transport ambulance fees. The administration used a conservative 15% recovery estimate on the ambulance expense to model potential additional revenue and added a $65,000 placeholder to projections; the auditor noted that typical private collection agencies charge higher recovery fees.

The safety service presentation also included line-item reductions in telephone and utility estimates and a review of contractual services. Council members and staff agreed to reflect proposed reductions and revenue-recapture estimates in the consolidated budget worksheet for the auditor’s review.

No formal vote was taken; the department’s items will be folded into the permanent budget worksheet for council review before any appropriation changes are adopted.