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Spencer County approves $229,860 diesel ambulance, authorizes $75,000 reserve transfer
Summary
Spencer County leaders voted to buy a diesel ambulance for $229,860 and authorized a $75,000 transfer from reserves if needed, citing long delivery times and fleet maintenance concerns. The board discussed gasoline versus diesel options and concluded fleet uniformity and diesel longevity justified the higher cost.
Spencer County officials voted to purchase a diesel ambulance at a price of $229,860 and agreed to a possible $75,000 transfer from county reserves to cover the balance.
The vote followed a special‑call discussion of two bids: a gasoline‑engine option quoted at $218,360 and a diesel option at $229,860. Board members and staff debated fuel type, maintenance history and operational costs. Staff and one board member noted diesel ambulances typically require refueling once per shift and have stronger transmissions, while several speakers said gasoline ambulances had experienced transmission and spark‑plug wire problems.
Board members emphasized delivery lead time as a key factor. Staff said ambulances take about 18 to 20 months to manufacture and deliver; members argued that waiting could increase the purchase price by thousands of dollars and risk leaving the fleet short if a unit failed in the interim.
Officials discussed financing the purchase from existing budget lines and reserves. County staff reported roughly $158,000 was available in the designated account and that about $545,000 remained in transfer reserves; the board agreed to include a $75,000 reserve transfer in the purchase motion if necessary.
After debate about warranties, remounting used chassis and the long‑term plan to standardize front‑line units, Speaker 3 moved to buy the diesel option and Speaker 1 seconded. The motion carried by voice vote.
The clerk recorded the outcome and the board directed staff to proceed with the purchase and associated accounting transfers as discussed. Delivery timing, warranty terms and remounting options were left to staff to finalize as part of procurement and future fleet planning.
The county did not identify the vendor in the meeting record and no specific warranty language was finalized on the record. The board also discussed the possibility of remounting existing boxes on new chassis in the future to reduce costs for subsequent replacements.
