Burke County commissioners approved a low bid to purchase four cardiac monitors and defibrillators after staff confirmed the vendor's units were new and included necessary accessories.

County staff said three bids were opened and that the low bid to buy the four monitors outright came from a vendor identified in the record as Ididium for about $94,000. The county's EMS chief said he contacted the company's representative to verify the units were new, not refurbished, and was told they would be new and would include cabling, cases and other standard accessories. The vendor also agreed to accept a purchase order with payment after delivery, staff said. "He assured me they're new units, that they come with all the same cabling, cases, everything that any other new monitor would come by," the EMS chief said.

Commissioner Nicks moved to accept the Ididium bid; Commissioner Brazel seconded the motion. The motion passed; the transcript records one dissenting vote by Commissioner Murrow. Staff said the county would proceed with the purchase based on the vendor confirmation and the board’s approval.

The purchase is intended to replace aging equipment in emergency medical services and staff said the acquisition would reduce costs compared with leasing options that were also bid. No dollar amount for future maintenance or warranty obligations was discussed on the record.