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Ambulance lead times push Bourbon County to weigh ordering now or leasing later
Summary
EMS staff warned long lead times and rising prices for ambulances; a new unit would cost about $389,330 at current pricing but could exceed $420,000 with next-year price changes. Commissioners discussed 3–5 year lease-purchase options to spread costs.
EMS personnel told the commission that aging ambulances and long vendor lead times create a purchasing dilemma: order now to lock current pricing, or delay and face higher costs and longer waits.
An EMS representative speaking as Speaker 9 said a new ambulance ordered now would cost roughly $389,330 with current 2025 pricing but could rise to about $420,476 under 2028 pricing projections. The representative explained that chassis and equipment price increases are built into vendor schedules, and that if the county orders today the slot can typically be released later without penalty if the county later decides not to complete the purchase.
Why it matters: EMS readiness depends on serviceable vehicles. Staff said many of the county's trucks are old (one example: a 2021 vehicle now has about 90,000 miles and other units date to the 2000s), and replacement timing affects both operations and budget planning.
Options discussed: Commissioners and staff discussed lease or lease-purchase financing (3–5 years was described as reasonable) to reduce near-term budget impact, or ordering now to lock price and risk having the vehicle not arrive for multiple years. Staff said they would run projections and present a five-year vehicle replacement plan showing cash-flow effects and leasing costs.
Next steps: Staff to model lease-purchase options and timing for commissioner review. No procurement action was completed at the meeting.
