Decision uncertain

Jay County Commissioners were faced this morning with whether to spend a little more for an older vehicle in order to get it now.

Jay County Emergency Medical Services director Teresa Foster-Geesaman had reviewed options bid by Life Star Rescue, Van Wert, Ohio, and presented the commissioners with the option between two Chrysler ambulance chassis, a 2009 with about 4,000 miles on it, or a new 2010 for about $500 less.

The catch, however, is that Life Star said General Motors isn't giving a delivery date on any 2010 models.

"It may not come in," Foster-Geesaman said, stating it could be several months before the new chassis was delivered. Conversely, the county can get the 2009 model whenever they like.

Life Star was the only company to submit a bid on the ambulance packages. Its bid presented the county with several options.

"If it's new and no miles and the warranty is better and it's (about $500) less ... I would be leaning toward the new one," said commissioner Jim Zimmerman.

"Two or three months you could live with, but if it's nine months, I don't know," said commissioner Faron Parr. "I'd vote for the new one too, but I don't want it hanging out there, eight, nine months."

The 2009 ambulance package will cost $146,166, with the 2010 slightly less at $145,693. The new ambulance will replace an aging model, which will be turned over to the Jay County Sheriff Department as a response vehicle for special operations.

Attorney Lon Racster suggested trying to dig up a bit more information as to whether the ambulance chassis line is still in operation, if the plant might have been shuttered, or if factories producing the line had closed before making a decision.

Foster-Geesaman said she will talk with Life Star and see if she can get a delivery estimate on the new model and then speak with the commissioners again.

"I don't want to leave you hanging if it's going to take forever," Parr said.

In other business this morning, the commissioners:

•Signed a resolution to abandon county road 1150 West north of Division Road. The resolution states the road is not listed in the county's inventory and records could not be found showing that it was ever dedicated to the county.

Any claim to the land on which the road occupies will be surrendered to the adjacent property owners.

One of those property owners, Phil Stolz, operates a confined feeding barn north of Division Road along the right-of-way. At Stolz's request, the county spread stone on the "road" when the barn was built about eight years ago.

•Were informed by Jeff Badders of SchenkelShultz that he will be meeting with apparent low-bidder Weigand Construction Tuesday to discuss their bid on the Jay County Jail expansion.[[In-content Ad]]