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Board accepts RSAF grant and authorizes intent to purchase ambulance; appropriates funds
Summary
The board accepted an RSAF grant that covers 50% of an ambulance cost up to $180,000 and moved to authorize a plan to purchase a demonstrator ambulance in July, approving a motion to accept the grant and authorize appropriation toward a $401,000 line item to maintain a six-ambulance fleet.
Mister Emerson presented a grant opportunity to the board for an ambulance purchase, saying the county was offered a State RSAF grant that covers 50% of purchase costs up to $180,000 and presented options including buying a demonstrator vehicle or delaying expenditure until next fiscal year.
Emerson explained vendors indicated they would accept a letter of intent to purchase after July 1 so the county could accept the grant now and appropriate funds later. Board members discussed fleet condition (two ambulances approaching ~250,000 miles), rising vehicle prices since 2020 and the tradeoff between accepting demonstrator models now versus waiting for a custom build.
A motion was made to accept the RSAF grant award, authorize the chairman to accept the award and appropriate $401,000 this fiscal year toward the ambulance purchase with the understanding the county would receive the grant reimbursement (up to $180,000). The board voted and the chair declared, “Motion carries.”
Why it matters: the decision preserves a state grant opportunity and begins budget planning to replace aging frontline ambulances, affecting emergency response capacity countywide.
