Council OKs Funds for Ambulances, Fire Stations
- December 13th 2024
- City News
A new ambulance for Sanford
Photo: Lifeline Emergency Vehicles
By Barbara Sutcliffe
City councilors on Dec. 3 unanimously approved a request to move ahead on purchasing two new ambulances for the Fire Department, something Fire Chief Scott Susi said is necessary to handle the increasing number of calls. They also approved a plan for getting started on funding the two new fire stations approved by voters last month.
The actual purchase of the emergency vehicles will occur in the 2027-28 fiscal year, but the authorization request is needed now since it will take three years for building and delivery. The cost of one ambulance will be covered by $422,000 from an Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) grant and $100,000 from current reserves. The cost of the second unit, which will replace a 10-year-old ambulance currently in the fleet, will be included in the capital improvement plan as a 5-year lease-purchase.
The city owns three ambulances, which has been enough in years past. But the number of requests for medical service has increased dramatically, Susi explained. Repairs, maintenance and, at times, decontamination can leave the city with only two ambulances to handle the ever-growing call volume. The city needs four now, Susi said.
Several councilors had questions about the timing of these expenditures and whether they would coincide with the new fire stations’ bond. City Manager Steve Buck explained in detail the timeline of payments to be made as part of the ongoing capitalization program in use by the city.
Councilors also approved the plan proposed by the city finance director and treasurer for funding construction of the two fire stations. The $42.5 million project will be financed through the Maine Bond Bank, which provides long-term bonds to municipalities. These bonds will minimize the immediate impact on the city’s budget.
In addition to the bonds, Buck requested authorization to use $880,000 of the city’s undesignated fund balance (reserves) to cover pre-construction costs for the main station. These costs include engineering, bid preparation, bid review, general contractor and construction review. Using the city’s funds will allow the project to get off the ground and prevent delays. The $880,000 will be used until permanent funding from the Maine Bond Bank is in place, at which time the reserve fund will be repaid.
This plan lays out a borrowing timeline that seeks to delay the full cost of payments as close to 2031 as possible, as was presented to voters in the Nov. 5 referendum.
