Efforts to build a trail around the hospital and make improvements to the airport continue moving forward.
Lisse Regehr, CEO of Thrive Allen County, followed up with commissioners about seeking letters of support to build the hospital trail.
She said the hospital board had already approved the plans, and were excited about having more outdoor activities for patients.
Regehr also talked with commissioners about road crossings and connector trails, as well as who would have responsibility for trail upkeep.
Jonathon Goering, Thrive’s economic development director, said he was making headway on improvement plans for the Allen County Regional Airport.
At this juncture, he and others are focusing on the utility expansion study (including obtaining bids for it), whereby utilities would be run to a select 24-acre corner of the airport property.
Commissioner Jerry Daniels said he thought the Federal Aviation Administration is “highly likely” to approve the project.
Chelsie Angleton, 911 director, appealed to commissioners to approve hiring an additional dispatcher to cut down on overtime costs.
She calculated that hiring another employee could save the county as much as $17,500 per year.
Although no action was taken, commissioner David Lee said he was “excited” about the prospect. “If we can make this work, cool,” he said.
Jason Trego, emergency management director, presented bids to purchase two new laptops for the dispatch center. However, for the second time commissioners said they would like to see additional bids.
“I’m not trying to be a weeny,” said commissioner Lee. “I would continue to look, though.”
Michael Burnett, EMS director, provided an update for commissioners, and mentioned that the department had recently sent three employees to paramedics school.
He also said he was looking for ways to be more cost-efficient, and noted that medication prices for employees might be a good place to start.
Burnett said the new ambulance that had recently been purchased would be delivered in the near future. He obtained the green light from commissioners to have an air sanitizing system installed in the vehicle as well as an additional camera for its patient compartment. The estimated cost is $1,290.
