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Yadkin County approves letter of intent for two ambulances after split vote
Summary
The board authorized the county manager to submit a letter of intent to buy two 2028 Ford 550 4x4 ambulances at a quoted price of $332,093 each, voting 4–1 amid calls for additional vendor quotes.
The Yadkin County Board of Commissioners voted 4–1 on April 20 to authorize County Manager Michael Silverman to submit a letter of intent to Northwestern Emergency Vehicles for two 2028 Ford 550 4x4 ambulances built to the county's specifications. Commissioner Tim Parks made the motion and Vice Chairman Frank Zachary seconded it; Commissioner Cliff Collins opposed.
Emergency Services Chief Chris Bolden told the board the Northwestern quote was $332,093 per unit and that a competing Demers/Spartan quote from Spartan Fire and Emergency Apparatus was $425,178 for a similarly specified unit. Paramedic Daniel Tucker said the county requests ambulances built to Yadkin County specifications so equipment placement is consistent across vehicles, which he said improves patient care.
"The Letter of Intent would order two ambulances and guarantee we will get them at the quoted price," Bolden told the board, adding the county would not be contractually obligated to complete the purchase if circumstances changed. Bolden said the county's proximity to Northwestern Emergency Vehicles in West Jefferson reduces downtime for service compared with vendors located farther away.
Commissioner Collins said he wanted to table the item to gather more quotes given the rising cost of ambulances. Board discussion acknowledged limited local vendors but emphasized the operational benefit of local service and standardized builds. The motion passed 4–1 (Collins opposed).
