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Commissioner Brown - GEMS - Approve the Appropriation of Fund Balance for the Purchase of Five Ambulances ($1,243,249)
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STAFF CONTACT
Mark Lamphiear - GEMS - 704-866-3202
BUDGET IMPACT
budget
General Fund: Appropriate $1,243,249 in fund balance. Increase expenditures (transfers out) by $1,243,249.
CIF: Increase revenue (transfers in) by $1,243,249. Increase expenditures (transfers out) by $1,243,249.
Capital Fund: Increase revenue (transfers in) by $1,243,249. Increase net capital expenditures by $1,243,249.
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BUDGET ORDINANCE IMPACT
General Fund: Appropriate $1,243,249 in fund balance. Increase expenditures (transfers out) by $1,243,249.
CIF: Increase revenue (transfers in) by $1,243,249. Increase expenditures (transfers out) by $1,243,249.
Capital Fund: Increase revenue (transfers in) by $1,243,249. Increase net capital expenditures by $1,243,249.
BACKGROUND
To improve EMS system service and cost efficiencies, GEMS has taken over Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance service previously provided by the Stanley and Ranlo Squads. Three replacement ambulances are needed for units that were wrecked, two by Stanley, and one in a storm by GEMS. Insurance payouts totaling $554,553 were received and posted in FY24 and reverted to fund balance. An additional appropriation for approximately $200,000 is needed to cover the gap between insurance settlement and full replacement cost. Two additional units are needed immediately for reserve and standby use to ensure continuity during the maintenance and repair of our regular fleet. The County is still critically behind in fleet replacement due to COVID and supply chain shortages, which caused manufacturers to delay or cancel orders. These spare ambulances, which were originally ordered by another County, have become available for purchase and are fully covered by Medicaid settlement funds received last year that reverted to fund balance.
POLICY IMPACT
N/A
ATTACHMENTS
Budget Change Request (BCR)