Commissioners get a look at new ambulance
Staff writer
County commissioners got their first look at the county’s newest ambulance Monday — two years after it was ordered.
When the county ordered two ambulances in 2023, emergency medical services was down to four ambulances because two had been sold and the others were ailing and needed expensive repairs. Ambulances were being shuffled between towns to serve needs.
The first ambulance, ordered from a lot in Iowa, arrived shortly after it was ordered and was put into service.
The second ambulance, which arrived March 10, had to be fitted for county use before it was ready to roll.
Taking a break from their meeting Monday, commissioners peered into the back and side doors of the ambulance and asked questions about which equipment did what for patients.
During the meeting, interim department head Chuck Kenney gave challenge coins to Gwen Grover, Matt Hein, Connor Hiebert, Teagan Decker, and Mickey Price as a token of appreciation for saving a life March 31 with help from Hillsboro Community Hospital, Hillsboro Fire, and Hillsboro Police Department.
Having listened to Ken Olsen from Enterprise Fleet Management talk three times, commissioners still haven’t decided whether they are interested in leasing and selling vehicles through Enterprise.
Commissioner Clarke Dirks said he wanted to see writing and compare leasing through Enterprise to if the county handled its own buying and selling.
“They’re not in it to help out,” Dirks said. “They’re in it to make money.”
Olsen, monitoring the meeting by phone, answered, “We do make a profit, but we do want to help you.”
Olsen said that the county would see “a massive reduction” in maintenance and fuel expenses and that the county would make money on the proposal.
Commission chairman Jonah Gehring said he foresaw savings for the first two years and maybe the third year.
“I’m not seeing a lot of risk,” he said.
Commissioners wanted to discuss the matter again.
In other business Monday, commissioners listened to budget requests from the conservation district and an organization that works to lift people out of poverty.
The conservation district asked for $41,000 this year, $5,000 less than last year.
Marion County Core Community asked for $10,000, the same as last year.