Committee approves $278,018 purchase of replacement ambulance; funding confirmed from non‑area‑wide vehicle reserve

The Assembly Finance Committee approved a cooperative contract purchase of a replacement ambulance from Rocky Mountain Emergency Vehicles for $278,018.56.

Corey Beal of General Services presented the award, explaining the contract follows Title 16 cooperative purchasing rules and uses a Houston‑Galveston Area Council (HGAC) cooperative agreement. Michelle Denton of Transportation explained the vehicle will be funded from non‑area‑wide dollars within the vehicle and equipment replacement reserve (VERR) and noted the reserve has a fund balance; staff estimated the non‑area‑wide fund balance at roughly $2.2 million though said they would confirm the exact number.

Assembly members asked whether a separate emergency services mill rate covers EMS and whether ambulance purchases should be charged to that line; staff and the borough attorney explained the non‑area‑wide VERR subaccount is the appropriate funding source and that the purchase will be funded from that account.

Beal told the committee that because an earlier order for a similar ambulance was cancelled by another jurisdiction, the borough expects delivery sooner than typical lead times (which are commonly two to three years). The committee approved the award by roll call 8‑0.