Warren City Council has agreed to purchase a new ambulance.

The decision was made in a brief special meeting held on Monday night.

Fire Chief Dave Krogler said the ambulance to be replaced is a 20078 model year and past its expected useful life.

“Required repairs to keep the unit in service are mounting,” he said.

Action was needed at a special meeting because, as Krogler explained to council, the city has the opportunity to purchase a demonstrator model at a “substantially lower” price – $223,000 as opposed to $290,000. Costs for tire chains and all-season tires pushed the total request on Monday to $227,735.

The other reason for prompt action Krogler outlined was supply chain issues – he said an off the line unity would probably not be available to the city until late 2023 at the earliest.

So how to fund it? City Manager Nancy Freenock said there is just shy of $200,000 in the city’s equipment fund which is a funding stream generated by oil and gas lease proceeds on city lands.

Krogler proposed the remainder to come out of the city’s general fund but told council that the department has been in contact with the USDA on a program that would bring a $25,000 grant and $25,000 loan to help offset the cost. He said he believes the ambulance purchase would qualify and noted that the Police Department and Department of Public Works have replaced vehicles using the program.

As for the old ambulance, he told council it would be donated to the Warren County Career Center for use by students both in the medical program but also automotive programs.

Council unanimously approved the purchase.