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Trustees review plan to buy ambulance with state grant; staff to return for final consent approval
Summary
Village staff described a not‑to‑exceed $390,394.50 purchase of a Braun‑model ambulance using a $375,000 state grant, $64,000 budgeted for a power cot and a $25,000 trade‑in; chief recommended buying an in‑production unit to avoid a 3–4 year wait.
Village staff on Jan. 21 outlined plans to purchase a new ambulance from North Central Emergency Vehicle (Plainfield) at a cost not to exceed $390,394.50 and said the department has a $375,000 state grant for the vehicle.
Staff explained the village budgeted $64,000 to include a power cot and load system and expects a $25,000 trade‑in on an older ambulance. The fire chief recommended a Braun platform using a slide‑door module (to limit roadway exposure compared with a swinging door). Staff emphasized that a custom order could face a three‑ to four‑year lead time and that buying an ambulance already on the manufacturer’s production line would allow delivery in May 2025.
Staff told trustees the planned purchase would be processed through Sourcewell (a cooperative purchasing agreement) rather than a separate local bid; Sourcewell contracts result from a prior formal bidding process. Trustees discussed whether the item should be on the consent agenda for final approval; staff said it would appear on the consent agenda for final action at a subsequent vote.
Why it matters: The purchase replaces a scheduled ambulance and affects emergency medical services capacity and fleet readiness. Buying an in‑stock chassis shortens delivery time and reduces risk of multi‑year delay.
Details presented: With the $375,000 grant and the $64,000 budgeted for the power cot, staff said total budget authority was $439,000 before trade‑in; applying the $25,000 trade‑in would reduce expenditures to roughly $390,000, about $48,000 under budgeted authority. The chief confirmed staff’s trade‑in estimate was the most advantageous option after market research.
Outcome at meeting: The board did not take final action on the ambulance purchase at the Jan. 21 meeting; trustees signaled no substantive objections to staff’s recommendation and staff said it would place the item on the consent agenda for final approval at a future meeting.
