Allen County proposes EMS merger
“This is something the city wanted; we are about to give it to you, or at least the chance to take it,” Allen County Commissioner Tom Williams said to the Iola City Council during Monday night’s meeting. SOME OF the major stipulations of the contract are: THE COUNCIL members discussed scheduling a special meeting to discuss the approval of the merger, prior to the next council meeting in two weeks. IN OTHER BUSINESS:
He, along with commissioners Dick Works and Jim Talkington, and County Counselor Alan Weber, came before the council with a proposal for an EMS merger in-hand. The four-page document would give responsibility of the ambulance service to the city of Iola starting at midnight on Dec. 31, 2013.
The county, meanwhile, would oversee its finances and budget.
“I hope we don’t get caught up in the details, I’m looking for a solution to this quagmire,” Williams said.
City council members ultimately decided to table any decision regarding the merger, to allow time for study of the material and for input from City Attorney Bob Johnson.
Williams recognized Works’ involvement with the merger, saying Works, long an opponent to any kind of a merger, has “given up a lot” through the contract, and the other commissioners have “stretched” as well.
“Sometimes we have to bend to the inevitable,” Williams said. “For him (Works) to take this step I think shows a lot of courage we don’t see in public officials these days.”
Works stood before the council for a few remarks as well. He said the goal has always been to improve quality.
“I think we have achieved that goal,” he said. “We hope this contract gets serious consideration.”
— Upon termination, the county shall transfer possession but not title to all county EMS service vehicles, equipment and buildings…to the city.
— The city will maintain a type-I ambulance service.
— The ambulances will be labeled Allen County Emergency Medical Services, and all personnel will be placed under the management of and become employees of the city. The city will maintain responsibility of and for replacement and upgrade of all vehicles and equipment.
— Revenue and collections will be handled by the county, with up to $750,000 being paid to the city on a yearly basis. The county will provide a new emergency vehicle every other year.
— The city’s coverage will include all of Allen County.
— The EMS services will have a staff equal to at least 33 full-time employees, a reduction of four positions.
— The services will include some sort of quality of care review process (i.e. review board).
— The agreement will remain in effect until Dec. 31, 2019.
Overall, the county commissioners agreed the plan would be a benefit to the citizens of Allen County, both financially and in quality of service. But, controversy is inevitable.
“There will be people who will not like this,” Williams said.
But, as Works stated to the council, he believes the people of Allen County are ready for a solution — and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
“I think they are tired of this controversy,” he said.
— Council members approved a public hearing for several unsafe structures to be placed on the condemned structures list.
— A motion was passed to approve a banner-hanging policy for the city of Iola.
— Members approved an on-call engineering contract with AMEC, based out of Topeka. The engineer, Bradley Johnson, would be an hourly, on-call city engineer when needed. There is no retainer fee.
— The transient guest tax resolution was passed to raise the rate from 4 to 6 percent.
