Allen County commissioners will guarantee $750,000 a year in income for a countywide ambulance service operated by Iola firefighters. COMMISSIONERS didn’t put a deadline on contract agreement, but all three said they were not interested in protracted negotiations.
But, they balked Tuesday morning at making an annual cost of living adjustment to the sum.
“I’d advocate for the $750,000 guarantee,” said Commissioner Tom Williams.
“That’s OK, but no COLA,” chimed in Chairman Dick Works. “We can give a little, and they (city council members) need to give a little, too.”
Commissioner Jim Talkington was opposed to either concession.
The initial contract proposed for merger of Iola and Allen County’s ambulance services was for the county to hand over up to $750,000 to the city from fees collected for ambulance runs. Last week council members asked for $750,000 to be guaranteed, and an annual adjustment based on the cost of living index.
Commissioners are confident that annual collections will total more than $750,000, with the excess going into reserve to purchase a new ambulance every other year, an expense that’s expected to be between $100,000 and $150,000.
Terry Call, who has billed for ambulance runs for several years on behalf of the county, said he anticipated this year’s county total would be about $650,000 and thought collections in the city, for about 1,000 runs, should be $200,000.
However, he added, “you don’t know what might happen with Medicare” and insurance reimbursements.
An addendum put into the proposed contract at commissioners’ behest was for equipment to be returned to the county, which then would run a countywide service, if the city decided to end the contract through a six-month termination clause.
“There are people there (with the city’s service) and here (the county’s) that won’t like” what’s agreed upon, said Williams. “But, it makes sense to have one service,” and lower overall costs.
Money collected from runs — the $750,000 — will pay salaries and other ambulance service expenses. When firefighting duties are included, which they will be with Iola the ambulance operator, the total will reach about $1.3 million, with additional financial responsibilities falling to the city.
Williams said he thought accord could be reached by the end of September.
County Counselor Alan Weber said he would have the commissioners’ contract proposals woven into the document by late this week, and have it ready for Iola’s council members to consider when they meet Monday night.
County concedes to EMS guarantee
