Montcalm County Debating Higher Taxes for Ambulances
STANTON, MI – Montcalm County voters likely will be asked in August to pay higher taxes in exchange for better ambulance service.
STANTON, MI – Montcalm County voters likely will be asked in August to pay higher taxes in exchange for better ambulance service.
The County Board of Commissioners’ Health and Human Services Committee has discussed asking voters to renew the current $0.5-mil tax that pays for maintenance and replacement of the Montcalm County Emergency Services (MCES) fleet of eight ambulances and nine rescue units for three years and to raise it by $0.25 mils to replace several Ford ambulances earlier than normal, according to the Greenville Daily News.
Currently, several Ford ambulances purchased after new federal emissions standards took effect in 2003 are prone to breakdowns and are draining the department’s maintenance budget. Plans call for replacing two Fords per year with Chevrolets along with the regular fleet replacement schedule, spending about an extra $190,000 a year. A new ambulance is priced at from $80,000 to $95,000.
The commissioners’ Finance and Personnel Committee is expected to discuss the issue on Apr. 28, with a goal of placing the issue before voters Aug. 5.
More Maintenance
Freeing Technicians for Higher-Priority Repairs
Could paid interns help public fleets free up experienced technicians for more complex repairs?
Read More →
Stay ready, set and safer with verified fleet inspections
When fleet inspections aren’t verifiable, missed defects can quickly become downtime, safety risks, and service delays. This white paper shows government and municipal fleet leaders how digital inspections can improve accountability, catch issues earlier, and keep vehicles ready when they’re needed most.
Read More →
Using Oil Analysis to Help with Engine Losses
How a Texas city changed its lubrication practices and began tailoring preventive maintenance intervals after test results showed oil degradation and fuel dilution.
Read More →
Hidden in Plain Sight: Fleet Compliance Risks
Fleet compliance isn't just about having policies — it's about consistently enforcing them. This practical guide reveals six hidden compliance risks common in public sector and shared fleet operations and outlines proven strategies to improve visibility, accountability, and audit readiness.
Read More →
Is Your Fleet Garage Holding Back Your Operation? | The Fleet Breakroom
Norman Barrientos of Barrientos Design & Consulting explains how agencies can use operational data to show decision-makers why a replacement or major renovation is needed.
Read More →
Reducing Long-Term Maintenance Costs and Downtime
Downtime is rarely caused by a single surprise failure but rather by an issue that builds over time through setbacks ranging from deferred maintenance to poor replacement planning. So what's the fix?
Read More →
The Future of Government Fleet Technicians with Mike Cleary
Insight on preparing for hybrid and electric vehicle service, what fleets need to know about recruiting technicians in a competitive market, and how to make the most of limited training budgets.
Read More →
Work Orders Are More Than Records. They're a Roadmap to Fleet Availability
What if your work orders could predict failures, uncover hidden costs, and boost fleet availability? Here's how leading fleets are using the data.
Read More →
Drive More Profit with Greater Fleet Uptime
Fleet downtime costs money. JASPER helps keep vehicles on the road with quality remanufactured components, fast nationwide delivery, and reliable solutions that boost uptime and profitability.
Read More →
Smart Seasonal Maintenance Tips for Government Fleets
Government fleets carry extra weight, and routes, schedules, and public trust depend on reliability. A systematic spring checklist keeps vehicles in service when agencies need them most.
Read More →