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Osage Beach police and EMS propose $546,903 in FY2026 capital items, including $400,000 ambulance
Summary
Chief Davis asked the board to fund a $400,000 replacement ambulance (with 12–24 month lead time), six police vehicle replacements and equipment including a drone and evidence refrigerator; aldermen discussed fleet leasing, replacement cadence and the possibility of adding one patrol vehicle.
Chief Davis told the Board of Aldermen the police and ambulance departments are seeking capital funding in FY2026 that would include a replacement ambulance (estimated $400,000) and modifications to the ambulance bay (about $25,000), six replacement patrol vehicles and a requested additional vehicle for growing staffing needs. He also requested a drone for search and operations, an upgraded evidence refrigerator with an alarm to preserve biological evidence, and replacement of 14 laptops across the department. The police capital package totaled $546,903 as presented.
The chief described long vendor lead times for ambulances—"a year to a year and a half, maybe 2 years backlog"—and recommended ordering as soon as budgeted. Aldermen asked whether leasing or enterprise fleet management had been considered; several members favored a managed‑fleet approach so the city could refresh vehicles on a predictable schedule and minimize maintenance costs. "I've been preaching for the last two years about enterprise leasing," the mayor said.
Board members also raised operational questions about ambulances: whether two frontline ambulances are sufficient during peak summer months and whether a third or a strategically located spare unit should be planned. Chief Davis said the department currently operates two ambulances (a 2015 unit and a 2023 unit) and rotates them to equalize mileage; he acknowledged lead times for new units and recommended planning for replacement now.
Aldermen suggested the budget calendar is the right place to finalize procurement and that staff should present options (leasing vs buying, rotation schedules, and long‑term replacement plans) during upcoming budget deliberations.
