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Board considers budgeting two ambulances and encumbering reserves to secure delivery timelines
Summary
Commissioners discussed whether to budget and encumber reserves to order a second ambulance now (vehicles estimated two years out). The board noted orders can be canceled without penalty but acknowledged budgeting two would obligate reserves and recommended strict capital restrictions.
Bannock County commissioners debated whether to budget for a second ambulance during final budget preparations. County staff and commissioners noted ambulances under discussion are about two years out and that the ambulance district's vendor permits cancellation without penalty, prompting discussion on whether the county should budget and reserve funds now or rely on reserves and budget next year.
Staff warned that budgeting two ambulances would obligate reserves and that once encumbered the funds could not be repurposed without further board action. Commissioners agreed they could allow a strict capital designation for ambulances only and that reserving funds now could aid long-range planning, but they also noted the management trade-offs of budgeting years in advance; the board left the line in the draft budget with instructions to restrict capital to ambulance purchases if approved.
Provenance: topicintro SEG 553, topfinish SEG 711.
