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Court approves conditional purchase of used International ambulance for $40,000
Summary
Spencer County fiscal court voted 5–1 to buy a used International ambulance located in Texas for $40,000, contingent on the dealer providing a short (up to 30‑day) mechanical/powertrain warranty; commissioners flagged funding timing and inspection concerns.
The Spencer County fiscal court voted 5–1 on March 2 to purchase a used International ambulance for $40,000, provided the seller will offer a short mechanical/powertrain warranty (the court discussed up to 30 days as a target).
Robert, the county’s EMS lead, described the vehicle as a 2022 International CD515 with about 101,000 miles available for $40,000 including shipping. He told the court the department already has purchased equipment for an incoming ambulance and that the new equipment is inventoried and paid for: “All the new equipment for the additional ambulance that we're getting ready has all been bought. It's already purchased... Paid for,” Robert said.
Commissioners expressed divided views: some urged caution about buying sight unseen, urged an inspection or a limited warranty and discussed where to pull one‑time funds; others stressed the county’s aging fleet and the operational need for additional reliable vehicles. One commissioner moved to delay until the new ambulance arrives and surplus an older unit; that motion tied and failed. A later motion to buy the Texas vehicle contingent on a mechanical warranty passed on roll call 5–1.
The court asked staff to secure warranty terms or a short inspection window before final payment and discussed shifting internal budget lines and reserves to make the purchase possible if warranty terms are satisfactory. The purchase decision is conditional and subject to the seller agreeing to the warranty or inspection arrangement.
