Commissioners approve Bennett County Ambulance reallocation for cardiac monitors and radios

Autumn Baker, speaking for the Bennett County Ambulance District, told the Bannock County Board of Commissioners on July 9 that the district reduced a planned purchase of four cardiac monitors to three and asked to reallocate the fourth monitor’s funds toward radios and other equipment.

Baker said the cost for three ZOLL cardiac monitors is $154,774 and that Motorola radios quoted for new McCammon staff total $34,264. She said the district will also use savings for a training mannequin and Stryker stair chairs; the revised package the district requested totaled $228,004, compared with $260,000 originally budgeted for four monitors.

The move trims the original equipment request after the district decided one ambulance will remain a reserve and retain its older monitor. “So instead of requesting 4 brand new ones, we’ll just request the 3,” Baker said. Shane Grow, introduced as the fire chief for Pocatello, added that the new monitors would replace units that are ready to be retired: “They’re new monitors, but they’re replacing ones that are out that are ready to be replaced.”

County staff and commissioners discussed budget mechanics for reallocating the line item rather than encumbering it. Baker said finance posted period‑8 numbers showing the ambulance budget at about 64% expended roughly three‑quarters of the way through the fiscal year; she also noted an unplanned fleet repair with about $4,900 in parts ordered and asked whether the county could set aside roughly $10,000 from capital for a major repair if needed.

Commissioners noted additional near‑term costs tied to opening the McCammon station. “We have $90,000 that is gonna have to start getting spent for the McCammon station,” one commissioner said, and the chair asked the ambulance district to return with a utilization report: “I would love to have you dive into the use of the ambulance in McCammon,” the chair said, arguing that a data‑driven review of calls and response times would help justify capital allocations.

Commissioner (speaker 3) moved to approve the district’s revised request; the commission approved the motion on a voice vote. Baker thanked the commissioners for the approval and said the district would proceed with purchases and follow up on outstanding invoices related to GMT funds.

The item is closed administratively; the ambulance district will provide the requested operational report on McCammon staffing and utilization at a future meeting.