Spencer County to advertise for new ambulance after vendor warns of year‑end price increase; approves Med 2 repairs

Spencer County Fiscal Court on Dec. 2 moved to advertise for bids on a new ambulance after EMS leadership warned that delaying an order would increase the unit’s price.

EMS chief Robert Klinglesmith told the court the last ambulance cost $206,900 and that "a new one would cost $215,900.00 if ordered today." He also said delivery would be 18 to 20 months and warned that ordering before the end of the year would avoid an approximately $11,000 increase. Klinglesmith told the court he had vendor pricing but that the vehicle typically must be put out to bid; county staff said advertising would be required and that bids would likely not be ready by the next regular meeting, prompting the need for a special meeting to accept bids.

Separately, the court approved repairs to MED 2 with Emergency Repair Inc. for $4,685.60. The estimate and invoice materials were presented to the court; the motion to approve repairs carried with all members voting "Aye" except Esq. Stump, who recorded a "Nay." Court members said they preferred multiple bids for repairs in principle, but the repair shop had already completed certain work and the vehicle was at the shop when the estimate was presented.

The court also approved a motion to advertise for bids for a Type 1 F-series ambulance (motion by Esq. Cotton, second by Esq. Stump) on a unanimous voice vote. Clerk and staff advised that payment is not due until pickup and that ordering now would lock current pricing; the county would still face an 18–20 month delivery timeframe.

The meeting packet contains the EMS item summaries, an ambulance bid-options memo (Type 1 vs. Type 3), and the repair estimate from Emergency Repair Inc. The county will schedule a special meeting to receive and accept bids when the advertising window and legal-notice requirements are met.