Staff writer
After hearing that Hillsboro Ford has no responsibility to pitch in for the repair of an out-of-warranty ambulance with just 27,400 miles on it, the county enlisted its attorney, Susan Robson, to ask for help anyway.
Florence EMS is still using Marion’s reserve ambulance to carry out services while its own vehicle awaits repair.
Commissioner Randy Dallke said he received a call from the maintenance foreman at Hillsboro Ford, who said the dealership has no obligation to pay for repairs, despite the vehicle requiring an engine repair of around $11,000 at a mileage count more than 70,000 below warranty fulfillment.
The ambulance is a 2005 model; its age is what caused it to be out-of-warranty.
Robson wrote a letter to Ford asking for assistance to pay for the repair, which she said is “cost prohibitive.”
“Common sense tells us that the engine should have lasted longer than 27,400 miles,” Robson’s letter reads. “While we wish to remain loyal to Ford, your policy of no assistance makes it difficult.”
Commissioners approved on Monday the sending of Robson’s letter. The Florence ambulance was reported as inactive to commissioners at their meeting March 23.
In other business:
- The security upgrade to Robson’s office was not what she expected, and additional maintenance to install a system that meets her desires brings the cost from under $1,000 to $1,893, which Robson said she can pay for with her department’s capital outlay budget. The upgrade provides for buzzers that enable Robson and her secretary to unlock the door from their offices.
- Planning and Zoning Director Tonya Richards will attend the Association of State Floodplain Managers conference from May 31-June 4 in Atlanta. Her expenses will be paid by Kansas Division of Water Resources and Kansas Association for Floodplain Management.
- Economic Development Director Teresa Huffman will apply for a grant to help pay for upgrades to the kitchen at the food building in the county fairgrounds.