City looking to purchase two new ambulances
Cost could be slightly over budget
The city is looking to replace two of its ambulances this year, but officials say they might go over budget. Submitted photo
WADSWORTH – The city is looking to replace two ambulances this year, but officials think the cost might be more than originally budgeted.
Safety Director Matt Hiscock said this year’s budget allows for $300,000 to replace two of the fire department’s ambulances.
“The chief and assistant chief have done a nice job gathering some quotes, but the quotes coming in are above that budget number,” Hiscock said. “I have asked them to go back to the various vendors and have them sharpen their pencils so to speak. I anticipate we will be close to the budget and I hope we can try to get within the budget.”
Hiscock said the latest estimate he has seen is approximately $310,000.
“That isn’t where the budget is, but we started above $360,000 so we are getting closer,” he said.
Hiscock asked members of the public safety committee to present legislation to the rest of council for their next meeting, June 21.
“The older squads are becoming maintenance nightmares and are becoming more and more expensive to operate,” he said.
The goal is to have the ordinance in place quickly so the city will be able to order the ambulances as soon as possible.
“The sooner we can place the order the sooner we can replace these older squads,” Hiscock said.
Fire Chief Carl Rommel said the ambulances the department is looking at are very similar to the ambulances they will be replacing.
“We are trying to match that as far as layout and we aren’t making any changes compared to what we currently have,” Rommel said. “With one of the vendors we are looking at $310,000 and some change. We have purchased from them before and we have liked their equipment. They have been very good to us. I think prices over the years have just gone up.”
“I see no problem moving forward with this, but would like to see a final number,” Councilor Ralph Copley said.
Hiscock said he would provide a final number to council as soon as possible, but added that when working with vendors that could take some time.
Councilor John Sharkey said he would be comfortable with presenting legislation with a clause stating the purchase could not exceed $311,000.
“I would like to see the final number too,” he said. “On the other hand $10,000 doesn’t go very far and I wouldn’t want us to be here counting pennies to hold this thing up if the squads need to be replaced.”
Safety Director Matt Hiscock said this year’s budget allows for $300,000 to replace two of the fire department’s ambulances.
“The chief and assistant chief have done a nice job gathering some quotes, but the quotes coming in are above that budget number,” Hiscock said. “I have asked them to go back to the various vendors and have them sharpen their pencils so to speak. I anticipate we will be close to the budget and I hope we can try to get within the budget.”
Hiscock said the latest estimate he has seen is approximately $310,000.
“That isn’t where the budget is, but we started above $360,000 so we are getting closer,” he said.
Hiscock asked members of the public safety committee to present legislation to the rest of council for their next meeting, June 21.
“The older squads are becoming maintenance nightmares and are becoming more and more expensive to operate,” he said.
The goal is to have the ordinance in place quickly so the city will be able to order the ambulances as soon as possible.
“The sooner we can place the order the sooner we can replace these older squads,” Hiscock said.
Fire Chief Carl Rommel said the ambulances the department is looking at are very similar to the ambulances they will be replacing.
“We are trying to match that as far as layout and we aren’t making any changes compared to what we currently have,” Rommel said. “With one of the vendors we are looking at $310,000 and some change. We have purchased from them before and we have liked their equipment. They have been very good to us. I think prices over the years have just gone up.”
“I see no problem moving forward with this, but would like to see a final number,” Councilor Ralph Copley said.
Hiscock said he would provide a final number to council as soon as possible, but added that when working with vendors that could take some time.
Councilor John Sharkey said he would be comfortable with presenting legislation with a clause stating the purchase could not exceed $311,000.
“I would like to see the final number too,” he said. “On the other hand $10,000 doesn’t go very far and I wouldn’t want us to be here counting pennies to hold this thing up if the squads need to be replaced.”