City OKs ambulance purchase

PEA RIDGE — A second ambulance unit has been approved for purchase by Pea Ridge City Council members at a special Council meeting Monday afternoon. The Council waived competitive bidding and approved financing from Arvest Bank at 2.77 percent for $129,900.

Fire Chief Frank Rizzio presented the Council with a proposal at the April and May meetings, and asked the city to pay for the ambulance. He told council members that a second unit was needed and would eventually replace the current unit. Rizzio told council members that $20,000 would come from the FireDepartment’s share of impact fees and said that later this year, he anticipates receiving a little more than $9,200 from the annual Arkansas Health Department Trauma Systems Grant.

“It’s important to note that the redundancy provided by an additional ambulance not only provides an improved level of service when needed, but increases the longevity of service to the existing unit,” Rizzio told council members.

The city approved the fiveyear note under Amendment 78 financing for a promissory note of $90,990 and a down payment of $39,000.

The ambulance is a Model B3500 by Wheeled Coach of Winter Park, Fla.