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Council introduces appropriations for police vehicles and a new ambulance; fire and police chiefs outline equipment and overtime needs
Summary
The council introduced two ordinances to move existing public safety funds into personnel and equipment line items: the police seek funds for PERF/pensions and four hybrid Ford cruisers; the fire department asked for $260,000 in overtime and $329,521 for an ambulance repalcement including power-load cot systems.
Muncie city leaders introduced ordinances to reallocate existing public safety funds to cover retirement costs, vehicle purchases and EMS equipment and overtime.
Chris Deagan of the Muncie Police Department requested that the council introduce Ordinance 35-25 to appropriate funds from Public Safety fund 106 for PERF (pension) obligations and to purchase four hybrid Ford police vehicles. Deagan said the department solicited quotes from three dealerships and intends to purchase locally under state contract pricing; he said additional outfitting (lights, sirens) may require a future request if internal funding is insufficient.
Chief Burford described Ordinance 36-25 for the Fire Department and EMS (fund 104). He asked the council to appropriate $260,000 for overtime through the end of the year and to fund a replacement ambulance costing $267,946 and associated power-load and pro-2 cots costing $61,575, for a vehicle line total of $329,521. Burford said the department’s reserve fleet has high mileage; adding the ambulance and the equipment will restore reserve capacity and reduce manual lifting injuries.
Council members and members of the public asked about budget timing and why the items were not included in the operating budget adopted earlier. City staff explained the appropriations use current-year departmental funds already available in dedicated accounts rather than new general-fund allocations for 2026. Residents asked whether EDIT or other sources could cover items and whether local vendors and procurement processes would be used.
