County comes closer to upping EMS funds

Allen County commissioners came a step closer to increasing funding to the countywide ambulance service by $250,000, at their meeting Tuesday morning. That would put the county’s total tab at $1 million.
Commissioner Tom Williams proposed the increase, noting that if the county were to resume the countywide service “it would cost us $500,000” on top of the $1 million. Fellow commissioner Dick Works agreed. Commissioner Jim Talkington, however, was lukewarm to the proposal.
Alan Weber, county counselor, was directed to prepare a new five-year contract including the county’s increased funding and with Iola maintaining the service. Commissioners are expected to vote on the measure next week.
The contract is an outgrowth of meetings commissioners held individually with Iola Mayor Joel Wicoff, Ambulance Director Ryan Sell and others when it became evident the service is underfunded by $377,000.
Terry Call, who bills for ambulance runs, told commissioners ambulance run income is currently $427,850.44, from $935,582.81 billed, and could be expected to reach $728,000 for the year.
Call said $337,072 had been written off because of Medicaid and Medicare regulations that limit what either would pay. Another $171,060 is due.
The additional $250,000 will represent a levy of a little over 2.5 mills, or .3 of a mill more than the county budgeted additionally in its 2015 budget for ambulance service, on the chance the county might have to resume its operation.
In its 2014 budget, the county anticipated spending about $1.4 million for countywide service. That occurred before commissioners struck a deal with Iola to run the service under a five-year contract.

IN CHAMPIONING his proposal, Williams said if the city were to pull out of the contract, “we’d have the headache of running the service.”
In addition to the financial arrangement, the new contract will encourage city officials to look closely at ways to reduce call-back obligations when an ambulance leaves the Iola station. Williams referred to them as “seeming to be unnecessary costs.”
Also, he and the other county commissioners said they would not be party to cutting services to Humboldt and Moran areas.
“That would be a deal-breaker,” Williams said, allowing, though, he wanted “to roll the dice and give the city another chance … (and) find something to end this nonsense.
“Really, I don’t think it’s about operation or economics, I think it’s about politics in the worst form.”
Commissioner Talkington wondered if the county were to resume ambulance service if the city again would operate its own service rather than give the obligation to the county.
“They can’t because of the (original) contract, which still is in force,” replied Commissioner Works.
City Administrator Carl Slaugh said there were management issues that were being studied, including call-back — from long-standing city policy — and overtime.
He said another emergency medical technician had left the city’s employ, because he was “tired of the politics.”
“We’re down to seven on one shift,” he said.
Overall, the city has 28 fire/EMS personnel today, with two on sick leave and the one about to leave. That soon will put the force at 25, while more than 30 were anticipated as necessary to fill shifts for ambulance and fire in Iola and ambulances in Humboldt and Moran.

IN OTHER business, commissioners:
— Accepted an offer from Westar Green Team to plant 15 trees on the courthouse lawn. Ron Holman, maintenance supervisor, said he would ask SAFE BASE students to help with the project. Also, he told commissioners two large trees were hollow, had lost limbs and should be removed. They agreed.
— Accepted a bid of $1,270 from Rebel Works to construct and install hand rails on new concrete steps at the west entrance to the courthouse. Rebel Works’ bid was the higher of two, but also was more extensive.
— Agreed to remove 35 mph speed limits on four miles of recently rebuilt Delaware Road. The speed limit will revert to 55 mph.
— Accepted a $45,640 premium refund from their insurance carrier, EMC. Loren Korte, of Personal Service Insurance, said EMC pooled premiums and claims of public bodies and then made refunds when profits occurred.
— Learned Allen County Community Foundation had available $2,500 for environmental projects and $5,000 to $10,000 for health-related expenditures on behalf of the county. Weber suggested commissioners solicit suggestions from the public. Weber also said an appraisal of the old weather bureau building at 221 S. Jefferson Ave., most recently used by the health department, was being done preliminary to offering it for sale. He said one individual had expressed interest.