Burleson council approves two ambulances and a vacuum truck after presentations on equipment-fund strategy and rising EMS demand

City staff presented a multi-part equipment and emergency-services package on Feb. 3 that included (1) an ERF (Equipment Replacement Fund) policy proposal, (2) a request to commit to two Horton ambulances via a cooperative purchase, and (3) authorization to buy a new combination vacuum truck for the water utility.

ERF policy and fiscal framing: Harlan Jefferson (deputy city manager) told council staff propose a funding target window of roughly 65–75% (mathematically 70%) for ERFs; the proprietary equipment fund was below target (about 15.7% funded for certain proprietary units at Sept. 30, 2024), and staff recommended a one-time transfer of roughly $1,564,000 from the water/wastewater fund to bring proprietary ERF to 70%. For the governmental ERF, staff recommended a five-year plan to reach 70% funding and suggested financing larger items (over $300,000) through debt in the CIP to levelize annual impacts. Jefferson stressed that moving some items to debt would shift $8 million of capacity in the five-year CIP and might require adjustments to the I&S tax rate or capital prioritization.

Ambulance need, procurement and vote: Chief Casey Davis (fire chief) outlined a steep increase in EMS demand — the department ran 6,921 medical calls in calendar 2024 and the ambulance transport workload had risen substantially since 2020 — and emphasized limited reserve capacity (three frontline ambulances, one reserve). Chief Davis proposed buying two Horton 603-type ambulances through Southern Emergency Rescue Vehicle Sales (BuyBoard cooperative) with a chassis contract of $832,659.93 and a full build-out estimated near $1.3 million. He noted lead times (24–28 months with some vendors) and described remount strategies to extend box life. Council approved the contract after a re-vote (motion by Victoria, second by Phil) and recorded unanimous approval; staff will place equipment procurements into the CIP and coordinate delivery and staffing plans so payment aligns with 2026 deliveries.

Vacuum truck purchase approved: Eric Thompson (director of public works) requested authorization to purchase a combination vacuum truck from Performance Truck (cooperative purchase) for $517,845.57 to replace a 14-year-old unit that has had extended downtime. Thompson said the truck is critical for water-main and utility repairs; council approved the purchase (motion by Fill, second by McClendon; unanimous).

Budget and implementation notes: Jefferson and other staff noted ERF shortfalls and tradeoffs across the CIP: a one-time transfer from the water/wastewater fund is feasible but reduces working capital; issuing debt for higher-cost equipment moves payments into debt service aligned with equipment life; staff recommended detailed CIP adjustments during the summer budget process. Chief Davis and staff will pursue grant funding (Assistance to Firefighters Grant) to offset chassis costs and will return with detailed equipment procurement and staffing plans.