Commissioners approve $12,007.85 ambulance write-offs and $2.2 million purchase of three power cots

Ron Hearn, representing Pocatello Fire Department and the Bennett County AMOS District, told the Bannock County Board of Commissioners the department sought approval for two items: a write-off of uncollectible ambulance accounts and a capital purchase to replace aging power cots and auto-loaders.

Hearn said the write-off covers about 45 accounts that had exhausted collection efforts and totals $12,007.85. He told commissioners most accounts date from spring to mid-2024 and that the department typically comes before the board annually to clear similar backlogs. Commissioners asked about the age and call volume: Hearn said the department responds to roughly 7,000 calls per year with about 4,000 transports; the write-offs represent a small fraction of annual billings.

On capital equipment, Hearn described the three power cots and auto-loaders as part of the FY25 capital plan. He said the cots are about 17 years old and the power loads are 12–13 years old. The quoted total cost for the three-kits purchase was $2,201,690.36; Hearn said the quote is valid through September but that a vendor price increase is expected later in the year. The department intends to execute the purchase via piggybacking on a Sourcewell contract and confirmed procurement reviewed the approach.

Commissioners moved and approved both the write-off and the purchase by voice vote ("Aye"). No roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript. Commissioners asked for and received some collection-rate context but no specific county budget line-item reassignment was detailed in the meeting record.