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Council approves $280,195 ambulance order for Kiel EMS; decision to delay purchase of Stryker power-load cot
Summary
Kiel approved a $280,195 purchase order for an ambulance chassis and conversion with delivery scheduled in 2028, and agreed to table the estimated $69,087 Stryker power-load cot until closer to delivery. Councilors discussed price volatility, warranty and lead-time concerns before the 5-0 vote.
The Kiel Common Council approved a purchase order for a replacement ambulance for the Kiel EMS for $280,195 with delivery targeted for 2028, and voted to defer a separate decision on an estimated $69,087 power-load (Stryker) cot system.
Council and staff discussed a rising market for ambulance equipment and a vendor-estimated price increase the city was trying to avoid. Council sought clarification on whether the chassis and conversion could be ordered now while the power-load system decision was postponed. City staff confirmed the council could approve the ambulance chassis/conversion purchase without committing to a particular cot system now.
"If I'm reading this correctly, the unit for the chassis and the conversion is 2 of $280,195. And then the estimated $69,087 is for a power load system. And we can scratch it anytime," a staff member summarized during the discussion. Council members raised practical concerns: warranty expiry if equipment is purchased now and stored, interoperability of cot systems between vehicles, lead time for the cot and installation costs. City staff agreed to check lead times and installation requirements for the power-load system before the council takes formal action on that item.
Motion and vote
A motion was made by Alderman Gill to approve the purchase order for a replacement ambulance in the amount of $280,195 for delivery in 2028 and to table the purchase of the Stryker cot until a later date; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call, 5-0 (Gill: yes; Broeker: yes; Schuette: yes; Kroeger: yes; others: yes).
Why it matters
Ordering the chassis and conversion secures a price and places the ambulance on the city’s delivery queue; deferring the cot purchase allows the city to reassess pricing, lead time and compatibility closer to vehicle build and installation, reducing the risk of paying now for equipment that may require installation sooner than warranty or storage considerations allow.
What the council requested next
Council asked staff to obtain lead-time and installation-cost estimates for the power-load cot and return to council before a later vote so the council can decide whether to add that equipment at the time of build.
