The Dearborn County Board of Commissioners approved a supplemental distribution and authorized use of unexpended EMS/LIT staffing funds to reimburse $15,000 to Warsaw Fire and EMS for a ZOLL X Series cardiac monitor purchased from Lawrenceburg.

Derek Stevens, assistant fire chief at Warsaw Fire and EMS, told the board the unit was ‘‘new old stock’’ and that ZOLL confirmed it is serviceable: “It is a ZOLL X Series monitor. It is brand new to us… We paid $15,000 for it.” Stevens said the purchase was a fiscally responsible alternative to buying a new monitor priced near $30,000.

County staff reviewed the draft contract language and said paragraph 7 permits any funds not expended by LifeSquad on staffing as of Nov. 30 to be expended on other EMS purposes only with Dearborn County permission, and that LifeSquad must appear at the December meeting to request permission to utilize those funds. The staff recommendation combined a supplemental distribution the council had approved with an authorization to use unspent staffing funds for other EMS purposes.

Commission discussion clarified that the intent when the EMS distribution was drafted was for squads to request permission before spending unexpended funds on equipment; several participants said the LifeSquad’s approach matched prior email discussions that allowed purchase and subsequent request for reimbursement. The board voted to approve issuing $15,000 for reimbursement; commissioners also noted a clerical issue (an incorrect squad name on a page) that staff will fix.

What’s next: County staff will update the contract language and deliver signatures; life squad will provide a receipt and coordinate any follow‑up paperwork.