County looks at ways to cut costs on new ambulances

Taylor County is looking at ways to save money on future ambulance purchases.

The ambulance currently stationed in Rib Lake is the oldest in the county’s fleet and is the next one due to be replaced. Ambulance administrator Bob Kirkley told members of the county’s law enforcement and emergency services committee on Sept. 11 that while there is nothing wrong with it at this time, if they order a new one now, it will not be ready for delivery for another 2.5 years due to manufacturer backlogs.

Committee members received price quotes from Foster Coach Sales of Sterling, Ill. for options for an ambulance mounted on a 2027 Ford F-450 4x4 truck chassis and a 2027 Ford E-450 van chassis. The truck-based model has a cost estimate of $339,908 while the vanmounted model has a cost of $305,817.

The truck-based model would be similar to one that is based in Medford currently, while the van-based model is similar to other ambulances in the fleet.

Kirkley noted that not only is the vanbased model less expensive, it would also fit in the Rib Lake ambulance garage much better. Kirkley said that in his experience as a provider, even in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, that he has never used 4x4 on an ambulance.

“I think it is a waste,” he said. He explained that no action was needed immediately, but the goal would be to get an order placed by the end of the year. The vendor they received the quote from is one that Aspirus works with frequently and as a result is able to get the county a discount based on the amount of business Aspirus does with the company. “We order four ambulances every year,” he said.

Another option would be for the county to look at moving the ambulance box from the existing chassis and having it mounted on a new chassis. Kirkley said depending on the condition of the box, the cost would be between $180,000 and $200,000.

“We remount trucks every year,” he said, noting that the turnaround time is much faster because they do not have to wait for Horton or Lifeline to fabricate a box.

Kirkley said the box on the Rib Lake Ambulance is in good condition. It was noted that when the boxes are remounted they company goes over them and makes any cosmetic repairs necessary, installs new electric wiring, and repaints them so they look new.

“I would recommend going with a remount with the amount of miles on these trucks,” he said. Kirkley said the there is a potential for the county to see a $100,000 savings going with a remount along with reducing the turnaround to only about six months.

Kirkley said the county is a good position since they are being proactive in looking ahead on replacement and that the ambulance is still running well. Committee members asked him to get a quote on remounting the ambulance box on a new chassis. The purchase of the ambulance and covering of ambulance contract costs is paid for through a special levy which is outside of the regular county budget.

In other ambulance business, committee members were informed the ambulance service currently has three full-time openings due to staff leaving. While there continues to be a need for more on-call staff in the Gilman area, the amount of on-call across the system has been good, allowing them to have full crews on calls.

In other business, committee members:

• Received the jail population update with 24 inmates including two from Marathon County and two from Price County. The number of inmates from Marathon County dropped dramatically in recent months as Marathon County has begun shipping its inmates to Waupaca County. Sheriff Corey Dassow said he would be attending an upcoming jail conference and would be seeing if more inmates could be sent to Taylor County. Housing out of county inmates has been a significant source of revenue for the county since the current jail was built more than two decades ago.

• Were introduced to Noah Weinke who was promoted to detective after Aemus Balsis left the department to go to the Wisconsin State Patrol. Weinke is a native of Rib Lake and served in Chippewa County before joining Taylor County a few years ago.

• Reviewed the emergency management budget and made adjustments so that it was at a 0% increase in operational costs. The budget was reviewed again by the finance committee during Friday’s budget review session where it was approved as presented.

• Reviewed and approved sending the sheriff’s budget to the finance committee. At the committee level there was discussion over a plan to replace the department’s handguns. This is something that is done about every seven to eight years, with the department’s existing handguns being traded in. Committee member Lorie Floyd said handguns would be an example of something the county should be setting aside money for every year. “That is what the carryover should be for,” she said, noting the county should be planning for those expenses.

It was noted that the county is working to reduce the number of carryover accounts. Committee member Darrell Thompson said they couldn’t have it both ways.