EMS Director Jim Garner came before the Starke County Council and the Commissioners during both meetings.
During the Council meeting, Garner was there to seek pre-approval for the purchase of an ambulance to replace one of the departments units. Garner explained that the “extensive cost” of repairs of one of the units.
“Right now it needs a transmission. We’ve spent over $21,000 out of the budget last year just maintaining it,” Garner said.
Garner informed the council that the commissioners had asked him to look at alternatives. “I looked at five used ambulances. All of them, we’re getting into somebody else’s junk, to be honest. Every one I looked at, had over 100,000 miles. They were $70,000 – $80,000.”
However, he did come up with a solution for a portion of the issue. “I know you’ve seen the Mercedes style Sprinters. Our transfer truck is good. I can move that into front line temporarily because we can’t get a new ambulance now at this point until February 2026. So, temporarily, I found a Sprinter that will take the place.”
Garner said that the Sprinter is brand new and was used as a demonstration model. The price for that Sprinter is $107,500.
His plan is to move the transfer truck into the main line status on a temporary basis until the department can get a new ambulance.
He’s asking for the $107,500 for the Sprinter and pre-approval in the amount of $238,000 in late-2025/early-2026 for a new ambulance.
“That puts us in good shape for at least three years,” Garner said.
Council Vice-President Todd Leinbach asked if the $107,500 is the actual amount or would there be additional costs to switch things out between the new and the old transfer truck. Garner replied that the only other cost would be $5,000 for the wrap of the vehicle.
“Because everything that’s coming out of the retired truck is going into that one,” he said.
Garner said that he would like to use the old, replaced ambulance for parts for the ambulances of the same model. “That way I have readily available parts.”
Pending the approval of the Starke County Commissioners, the council approved a motion to go forward with the project.
Later on that night, Garner came before the Starke County Commissioners to give his report and seek approval for the ambulance. He told the commissioners that he visited seven ambulances and each of the units had a variance of rust to them. He explained what was discussed at the council meeting.
There was some confusion, however. Garner believed that the council had approved both purchases of the $107,500 Sprinter and the $238,000 ambulance. Council President Dave Pearman stated after a motion to approve both vehicle purchases was seconded that the council didn’t approve both purchases.
“I don’t believe the council approved the $236,000 one, just the $107,000 one. The commissioners would probably want to do more due diligence on that other one. Get more bids, whatever,” said Pearman.
“I thought that it was approved because Todd asked me if I was in line for it,” replied Garner.
“For the one you got and then you said no it was a demo,” Pearman replied.
“I’d have to go back and check on it because I thought they approved both,” Garner said.
Commissioner Mark Gourley suggested letting the motion stand and address it next year if need be.
The motion passed 3-0.
As far as staffing, Garner told the commissioners that the department is staffing four out six ambulances. The department has two full-time paramedic openings. One employee left for another department for higher wages and the other left for “various reasons.”
Garner informed the commissioners that estimates are being prepared for the Knox base for wall repair. “It was backed into not once, but twice within a week. And they were using a spotter, it’s just that it is so tight getting in and out of there.”
Commissioner Don Binkley asked if they needed to make the doors wider.
“We need to make them wider, definitely. The ambulances with the mirrors, you have three to five inches clearance on both sides. At a maximum,” said Garner. He went on to explain that currently they are ten foot doors. “We can go twelve foot. It’s a progression because ambulances are getting wider.”
Garner said this is a common occurrence at the other bases. “Grovertown just got backed into the hot water heater because they couldn’t see it because the sun was in their eyes and it was so close that they backed in too close. Judson, they backed into the wall numerous times. It’s just a repetitive issue.”
Binkley recommended that Garner look into estimates.
