County to get two new ambulances

By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

County commissioners Tuesday approved the purchase of two more ambulances to replace two that are pushing the end of their useful lives.

Emergency Medical Services director Ed Debesis presented bids for three ambulance options from two suppliers.

Two bids were for gasoline-powered models and one a diesel-powered model. The county uses diesel-powered ambulances now and gets good mileage, Debesis said.

The lowest bid was for a 2018 ambulance remounted on a low-mileage 2016 Chevrolet chassis, offered by Emergency Services Supply for $155,225. The bid was about $30,000 lower than competing bids and would keep the department using diesel fuel, Debesis said.

Debesis said Emergency Services Supply has two 2016 chassis available until an ambulance service purchases them.

Commissioners asked if the county could get a better deal by buying both instead of just one, and Debesis called the salesman.

“The answer is yes,” Debesis said, adding that an exact price for both was not yet available.

Debesis suggested putting half down and getting a lease purchase for the balance of the purchase.

In other business, commissioners:

• Heard a review of 2018 Blue Cross Blue Shield employee health insurance changes. The cost of insurance would go up 12 percent, company representative Bruce Schultz said.
• Considered a request from Sheriff Rob Craft to pay holiday pay rates to part-time employees who fill in during holidays because of extenuating circumstances.
• Voted 2 to 1 to hire Bradley Jantz for one year as county counsel and retain Susan Robson to handle upcoming tax sales. Dallke voted against the proposal.