Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Procurement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Chickasaw County approves purchase of new ambulance, 25% down payment due July 10, 2026
Summary
The Board of Supervisors approved purchase of a Legacy emergency vehicle for the EMS department after reviewing three bids. The board approved a 25% down payment of $66,004.53 due July 10, 2026, and agreed staff may need a budget amendment to cover timing of final payments.
The Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors voted to approve the purchase of a replacement ambulance for the county’s EMS department, following a recommendation from EMS Director Joe Knudson.
Knudson presented a summary of three responsive bids and said Legacy Emergency Vehicles, a dealer for Lifeline, produced the lowest net price after trade allowance and discounts. He described the components of the recommendation — manufacturer and model comparisons, warranty and bid exceptions, trade-in allowance and a $5,000 prompt-payment discount if the county places a 25% deposit.
"When all of those were figured and shook out, Legacy Emergency Vehicles came in at the lowest net cost," said Joe Knudson, the county’s EMS director. "They’d honor the same $5,000 discount if we choose to put 25% down, and they were agreeable to allowing payment in the next fiscal year if needed."
Knudson and staff discussed trade-in allowances and mileage provisions in the bids and cautioned the board that chassis purchases and delivery timing could move costs into a future fiscal year. The board heard that the 25% down payment required under the vendor’s terms would be $66,004.53, due July 10, 2026, and that a final chassis purchase may be completed in the next budget year.
Board members discussed whether to use current funds, hold the down payment in a local interest-bearing account, or make a budget amendment to cover the timing of payments. Chair (identified in the meeting as the presiding supervisor) noted that if the ambulance is delivered earlier than expected, staff will need to plan for the payment in the earlier budget year.
A motion to accept the bid and terms passed on a roll-call vote of 5–0, with board members recorded as voting yes: Steve, Isaac, Travis, Scott and Jake.
The board’s approval covers the purchase at the unit price and terms presented; staff will prepare any needed budget amendments and coordinate final invoicing and delivery scheduling with the vendor.
