All indications are that merger of Allen County and Iola ambulance services is all but a done deal.
Allen County commissioners Tuesday morning instructed County Counselor Alan Weber to incorporate a handful of changes into the contract they proposed and Iola council members considered Monday night.
The main adjustment is inclusion of a cost of living provision that will be triggered when county employees receive a raise. The adjustment will affect money guaranteed the city from ambulance run revenue, which initially will be $750,000 a year.
Monday night council members proposed the cost of living adjustment be equal to whatever percentage the county gives in raises.
For example, if the city awarded 2 percent raises to its employees and the county 1 percent, the COLA would be 1 percent. If there is no county raise, there would be no increase in guaranteed annual revenue.
Other changes have to do with reconciliation of vacation and sick leave compensation for full-time county employees who transfer to city employment.
Also, commissioners agreed to five years of exclusive county ambulance service if the city were to default or terminate its control of countywide service. Beyond five years, an agreement would hinge on yearly reviews.
“I think the COLA compromise was a good one,” said Commissioner Tom Williams, who was part of the discussion with council members Monday night.
“Most everything else is a non-issue,” said Weber.
The council meets next on Sept. 23, which means commissioners may have a document to consider for approval on Sept. 29.
Jan. 1 is the anticipated date for closing the merger.
EMS merger imminent
