Council splits over city manager’s purchase of used ambulance; members seek formal budget review

City Manager Van Wagner and Fire Chief (name given as Chief Azelle in public report) told the council they explored acquiring a used ambulance to reduce local emergency transport times. Van Wagner said he sought council members’ informal permission and that staff located a vehicle available for purchase at a price under the city manager’s purchasing threshold. Chief Azelle said the vehicle has not been equipped or staffed and that county permission to operate a city-run ambulance is not yet secured.

Several council members expressed support for local ambulance capability while others said the manager should have presented the purchase and operating plan publicly for council review. One council member said he was told about the purchase privately and had given consent; another council member said he had not been given detail on cost or operational plans and objected to staff proceeding without a formal council item. Van Wagner said the purchase used existing department budget savings and that staff intended to bring full cost and operating information to council for formal budget and policy decisions.

Council discussed that operating a city ambulance will require further agreements with Lake County and possibly changes to budget and staffing; staff said they are in continuing talks with the county about operating parameters and cost-neutral options. Members asked staff to return with a written, public proposal covering equipment, staffing, operating costs, and legal/operational approvals before the city begins service.

Ending — Council requested a formal budget and operational memo detailing costs, staffing, county approvals and equipment status before any ambulance enters regular service.