Six-Year Ambulance Contract OK`d in Idaho
Jan. 24--Lewiston paramedics will staff an ambulance in the Clarkston Heights for another six years under a contract approved by the Lewiston City Council Monday.
The agreement, which calls for an annual $390,000 payment to the city of Lewiston from Asotin County Fire District No. 1 and the city of Asotin, was approved by a 6-1 vote.
"What this assures and puts on firm ground, we have a system that is working," Councilor Dennis Ohrtman said.
The agreement is in line with a six-year levy approved by Asotin County taxpayers in November, which will be turned over to the city of Lewiston to pay for the ambulance crew stationed at Asotin County Fire District No. 1.
The three taxing districts have operated under an agreement since January 2010, when the city first began staffing a crew in Asotin County.
Lewiston Councilor Clinton Daniel was the sole vote against extending the contracts. Daniel told councilors he was leery about the extension before the council could discuss a recently completed $50,000 study of the region's emergency medical services.
Daniel also questioned the costs of the agreement.
"We are in a way subsidizing Asotin County because otherwise they'd be doing it themselves," Daniel said.
Asotin County could start its own ambulance, but Lewiston Mayor Kevin Poole said it would be at a much higher cost and said the city's agreement with the county was a better use of funds. Poole said the city is getting a reasonable payment from Asotin County and many residents of the Lewiston Country Club area now get a quicker response then they did before an ambulance was stationed in the Clarkston Heights.
The $390,000 pays for about 58 percent of the costs of stationing an ambulance crew in the Clarkston Heights. Lewiston Fire Chief Garry DeJong told councilors about 53 percent of the calls for the ambulance out of the station went to calls in Asotin County in 2011, while 47 percent of the calls went to Lewiston.
Costs associated with the agreement will be revisited every two years and can be terminated within 180 days of the 3-year mark, DeJong said.
Ohrtman said the regional EMS task force will be addressing many of the issues in the recent study over the next 18 months.
Also Monday:
--Terri Sterling of Culdesac was among three people who asked councilors Monday to do something about the payday lending industry in Lewiston she said contributes to the cycle of debt for some residents. Councilors said they would research the topic to see what is happening elsewhere in the state.
--The council voted 6-1 to approve a bid for installing an elevator and handicap-accessible bathrooms as part of the Lewiston Library renovation to Wellens Farwell of Enterprise, Ore., in an amount of $214,041. Funding for the project is coming from Community Development Block Grant funds. Daniel voted against awarding the bid, expressing concerns about costs for the renovation and potential high costs for upkeep of the old building.
--Councilors voted 5-1 to apply for a $108,260 grant from the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation to fund the final phase of development of trails at Community Park north of Warner Avenue. An additional $30,000 has been donated by Potlatch No. 1 Federal Credit Union for the project with $12,000 in staff time and labor planned by the city. Councilor Thyra Stevenson voted against approving the grant application, saying she preferred the city defer the project because of potential costs with other projects already on the city's plate. Poole abstained from the vote.
Gary may be contacted at bgary@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2262.
Copyright 2012 - Lewiston Tribune, Idaho
