Service to purchase new ambulance

The Union County Ambulance Service is moving ahead with the purchase of a new vehicle.

A bid for a new ambulance was approved at last week's regular meeting of the Union County Board of Commissioners.

The meeting was Friday morning at the Union County Courthouse in Jonesboro.

During discussion about acquisition of the new vehicle, several members of the county board asked that the bidding process be expanded when the ambulance service decides to make its next purchase.

The county received one bid for the new ambulance. The bid was submitted by Taylor Made Ambulance of Newport, Ark. The Arkansas firm's bid was $123,875.

Union County Ambulance Service director Grant Capel noted that the new vehicle will cost about $8,000 less than the last new unit which was purchased.

In other business at Friday morning's meeting:

County engineer Kevin Grammer shared updates on two local bridge projects.

Grammer said that work had been completed on a new bridge on Bartsch Lane near Cobden. Work also was nearing completion on a new bridge on Light Lane near Dongola.

Grammer also reported that the Union County Highway Department was wrapping up oil and chipping work for the season.

The county board approved building permits for two new mobile homes, a pole barn and a cell tower.