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Commissioners approve $4M fleet replacement plan; ambulance costs and lead times highlighted
Summary
The board approved vehicle replacements after Chief Lampard said medium‑duty ambulance prices have risen to roughly $350,000–$400,000 and lead times can be about a year or longer; the county typically buys via cooperative bids and favors Freightliner for medium‑duty reliability and warranty reasons.
Commissioner Fraley and other board members questioned the number of vehicle replacements per department and historical trends during discussion of item J. Chief Lampard, responding for fleet services, said the county replaces medium‑duty ambulances infrequently and that prices have risen since the pandemic.
"...by the time it actually gets replaced, they're usually pushing $350 to 400," Chief Lampard said of medium‑duty ambulances, and he added that the county typically uses cooperative purchasing (North Carolina sheriff's bid and regional buying cooperatives) and values Freightliners for their warranty performance (noting warranties in the range of 250,000 miles).
Lampard said lead times have been as long as 2.5–3 years post‑COVID but currently are likely to be about a year from order to delivery for the large-ticket units. Board discussion noted a typical $4,000,000 year for fleet replacement, with that figure varying by the mix of ambulances and other vehicles ordered.
After discussion, Commissioner Keeger moved to approve item J and Commissioner Fraley seconded; the clerk recorded the vote as unanimous.
