[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,97],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6310092,"mediaKeyId","2405126-37e8609f729d621691097948560a6698","parentId",2405126,"title","Bonner County, ambulance district begin disentangling insurance and claims; board told claims must be paid from district funds","audioSeconds",2719,"startMs",2686000,"endMs",5405000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2405126-37e8609f729d621691097948560a6698&start=2686&end=5405","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2405126-37e8609f729d621691097948560a6698/thumbnail_2686000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6310092/Bonner-County/Idaho/Bonner-County-ambulance-district-begin-disentangling-insurance-and-claims-board-told-claims-must-be-paid-from-district-funds","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310092-41b1061556337bcd2f12ea64640051f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775090970&Signature=U0RayeYLh7fYlzzOlpJvDuTjQL1bHmFxdj4XezspsqGoyyiIDm5~GtboTh1vAIKBNUjf1Xc9eGWuMjC53QkXm3nc2YfM6hPTAtp8--OwdCGUjRwz6r8~CvPqY-9YglyUt0TfKuxXKDfxXoeDmbauMRmbwMoe9MkVkRL4dxbpTLfLsil5ApDMCRdfvh4h9e6AhtZIp06iwiTqxrfVxNrZNDHJ79yFGuPdyORg6gqy~auNibi8Z6PAUTPU1M6PexDxkKHIz67AuH-5bBDSS0GMP85JeQhIfP3Aa6yRXujpFncOTunR-lUTubV7KLq9uuMf0ija0V14cqan-g54GvzyWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-26T18:55:56Z","article","County staff and district leaders discussed commercial and employee-benefit insurance, vehicle titles and claims handling as the Bonner County Ambulance Service District moves toward formal separation from county finances.

A county representative summarized the insurance work: underwriting inquiries are active with ICRMP (Idaho Counties Risk Management Program) and staff advised it is prudent to obtain multiple quotes for liability, property and workers' compensation coverage. The county's insurance manager said many carriers plan renewals and underwriting windows around spring and recommended pursuing quotes in parallel so the district will have options by the new fiscal year.

On statutory limits and claims: a county official stated that \"by statute, we can't use county tax dollars to fund another district,\" and clarified that the district must pay claims and costs that belong to the ambulance district. County staff and the clerk's office advised that claims falling under the district's responsibility should be paid from the ambulance-district accounts (the transcript records that the district has collected roughly $2.07 million in tort tax receipts). Until titles and budgets are fully disentangled, staff recommended documenting responsibilities and producing memoranda of understanding for any county services that will continue to be provided to the district.

Vehicles and assets: staff noted the paperwork to transfer vehicle titles and other assets is incomplete in some cases; the county and district will need to coordinate title transfers so commercial insurers can underwrite the correct owner/operator. Staff also reported several aging ambulances at the county lot that may be auctioned; those vehicles have high repair costs and some safety issues.

Next steps and recommendations: staff recommended continued work with ICRMP and at least one additional insurer that specializes in fire/EMS coverage to compare quotes, to keep SIF (state workers' comp) as an option while soliciting comparisons, and to draft MOUs where the county provides specific services to the district. Commissioners directed staff to provide written clarification on which budget pays for which claims and to bring insurance-quote options forward during the normal renewal window.

Ending: Staff and commissioners agreed to pursue multiple insurance quotes, clarify ownership of vehicles and have the clerk's office document the budgetary responsibility for claims so that the ambulance district can be insured and funded as a separate taxing entity.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BC Ambulance Service District Meeting - BOCC","oneSentenceSummary","County and district staff discussed insurance, vehicle ownership and claims handling as the Bonner County Ambulance Service District separates financially from the county; county staff said district claims must be paid from the district's accounts and recommended obtaining multiple insurer quotes.","taxTitle","Bonner County, Idaho","taxId",49415,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6310097,"Bonner County Ambulance District outlines staffing plan; minimum staffing set at 27, current roster at 29",332,3008000,3340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2405126-37e8609f729d621691097948560a6698&start=3008&end=3340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2405126-37e8609f729d621691097948560a6698/thumbnail_3008000.jpg","/articles/6310097/Bonner-County/Idaho/Bonner-County-Ambulance-District-outlines-staffing-plan-minimum-staffing-set-at-27-current-roster-at-29","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310097-a6606a5ccfd4d972b6fb327c7676221a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775090970&Signature=E8UtpFoO7W7fCI~aSbv7fIjVJtjJgwOPTLo2GRzcVwLY23LY~73VPJAKwY0sNsPxf-0Ya9AIU2wfIk0glCbOJfVQMcZBI55AKqvF9MvaIn3IstxDUW2lkkrdPpevMziCjYoH~Dlz8BwOSHBHPSDPHoVJ0yNftyjqd09clA3iAm79ZP92KdyL6UNTUyUp4TNr8H-TY-B9CQvDbuicTfEHOa4z6B2HYjgXjimy9t2duNk~GGv-emCmlUZHJu9N~nMdDnNSXAtpCyDtATPXFOrrmHNDw8UExIk29NEhHNJm8wo85oTp-b9zMIyKVdsdZqQ4G49akth~rX43lFxr13h5ZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Deputy Chief Alan Rickmeyer (operations) presented the district's staffing update, describing recent vacancies, promotions and the department's minimum-staffing calculation.

The deputy chief told commissioners the agency's minimum staffing to keep ambulances at four stations operational is 27 full-time-equivalent personnel, which the presentation defined as 15 paramedics plus 12 additional personnel in other roles. Staff reported the district currently lists 29 personnel after a recent resignation; one further vacancy was reported separately and will be discussed in executive session.

On personnel changes: staff said three positions were deactivated earlier in the fiscal year; a promotion to captain and a promotion into a paramedic position were recorded, and the net recurring annualized savings from those changes was presented as approximately $321,003.29 (figure calculated as the difference between budgeted filled positions at the start of the fiscal year and the active, restructured payroll lines).

Training pipeline and retention: staff said several employees are completing paramedic training during the fiscal year and that county tuition reimbursement historically supported training (staff said the county's tuition-reimbursement program previously provided about $40,000 used by district employees). The deputy chief emphasized the district's interest in retaining locally trained paramedics, noting that turnover to outside agencies would impose hiring and training costs.

Commissioners asked staff to present future staffing-cost scenarios in greater detail at the next meeting, including an itemized payroll breakdown showing current full-time-equivalent staff counts, the district's minimum staffing target and the fiscal effect of promoting employees from EMT/advanced-EMT to paramedic roles.

Ending: Staff will return with a detailed staffing-cost breakdown and with the personnel analysis resolved in executive session where appropriate; commissioners emphasized they do not want the public record to include individual pay amounts discussed in personnel sessions.","Deputy operations staff presented a staffing update showing 29 current personnel, a calculated minimum staffing level of 27 (15 paramedics plus 12 other positions), recent deactivations of three positions and a plan to onboard paramedic students later in the fiscal year.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6310102,"Bonner County Ambulance District repays $500,000 TAN principal and keeps line open",0,2963000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2405126-37e8609f729d621691097948560a6698&start=2963&end=2963","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2405126-37e8609f729d621691097948560a6698/thumbnail_2963000.jpg","/articles/6310102/Bonner-County/Idaho/Bonner-County-Ambulance-District-repays-500000-TAN-principal-and-keeps-line-open","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310102-e4e6f4920d86709fca47073b0b0aa78c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775090970&Signature=YhcdwEcISBds-JpGKMhqYTULMrVj8cEK0U1k0-gKRdiREH5trBC3t8OXC1yq39P5tLLR9sbSftY3vS5T2Mg2sQqN0oKp-z52rjKhUOd5sPLBaAXivjMaE1p7aBo9t3bougoPbZQ2DWhbIZX~zJoEozpnOt6jUqf3YkvRVVDMVCzBy-IwZqJaFmet1-7zzUwZcdG~CKGnvz97SSF4ZXIXuZExrdIvbsiyVkeee-hse1ifPtqGwG9kgv942PTuO-6nKm5hNknZieylyb9qE~GjaIxzgOz6a4N5it1x6HjqkFkztXIKbRGrjXw1YkY8zWSPA9YqZLQVb~zivyy-tHJkog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bonner County Ambulance Service District commissioners voted to repay $500,000 of the district's Tax Anticipation Note (TAN) principal and keep the TAN account open, a move the commissioners said will stop additional interest from accruing while preserving a borrowing facility.

Chief Lindsay, who presented the district's fiscal forecast, told the board the figures are preliminary and will change as staffing and billing patterns evolve. \"We didn't create this problem, we're dealing with the problem,\" Chief Lindsay said, describing the multi-year fiscal shortfall the district is addressing.

Why it matters: The payment reduces the TAN principal outstanding and halts additional interest accrual on that amount; the decision changes the district's near-term cash position and affects how much operating cash will be available before the July tax levy deposit.

Key figures presented by Chief Lindsay and staff during the budget update include:
- Current cash balance (reported): $1,979,484.43, including outstanding checks of $74,963.
- Projected remaining billing revenue through the fiscal year: $920,000 (approximate projection).
- Projected tax-levy deposit in July (estimate): $1.1 million (noted as an estimate by staff).
- Projected operating expenses remaining (round numbers used by staff): roughly $640,000 for specific line items and roughly $2.1 million when aggregated with payroll and other operations for the remainder of the fiscal year.
- Without the TAN payment, staff presented an illustrative year-end cash position near $900,000; with the payment and other adjustments, staff said year-end cash was likely to be in the $400,000'$800,000 range depending on several variables.

At the meeting the board moved to authorize repayment of $500,000 of the original TAN principal while leaving the TAN facility open for future use. The motion passed on a roll call vote: Mickey Tonke, yes; Richard Williams, yes; Richard Watkins, yes.

Board members and staff said the TAN payment was timely because continued interest accrual would reduce the cash available for operations. Commissioners asked staff to return next week with additional cash-flow detail broken out monthly and with revised projections that reflect recent staff vacancies.

What remains unresolved: staff reported they have not yet received final confirmation from the bond attorney and are awaiting the bank's procedural guidance for renewing or reissuing TAN paperwork. Commissioners directed staff to follow up and provide updated documentation and monthly projections at the next meeting.

Ending: The board approved the principal payment and kept the TAN open; staff will return with a monthly cash-flow breakdown, updated revenue projections and any additional legal guidance about TAN renewal or closing procedures.","The Bonner County Ambulance Service District commissioners voted to repay $500,000 of the district's Tax Anticipation Note (TAN) principal while leaving the TAN facility open. Chief Lindsay presented a budget update showing current cash, projected revenue and expenses and recommended the payment to stop further interest accrual.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6310087,"Bonner County Ambulance commissioners adopt a task-list approach to track the district's transition work",116,7344000,7460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2405126-37e8609f729d621691097948560a6698&start=7344&end=7460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2405126-37e8609f729d621691097948560a6698/thumbnail_7344000.jpg","/articles/6310087/Bonner-County/Idaho/Bonner-County-Ambulance-commissioners-adopt-a-task-list-approach-to-track-the-districts-transition-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310087-9bbaf7f15f02afd223df0153ec123204/orig.mp4?Expires=1775090970&Signature=mlvsuYKDoDLpSmES3cd-UlOlQam6NeeTICGMFFJMYBU1dAy-XrZu09F0gGMM5WZEGZvZnQnJQ7LJ7ZeSK9ChGIjXDvOIbDFRzY6PabMRtbBjEQ6w44~jBuHF1v857pwCuChCDBslox-dYgi9kV5Qj4Fuo5glJ4gMm7yCv49JM3jS9ndJba86h1dolTFqY40GoZdEYr5izsW1-MKrG~08JapVmEJrKIkazFxhrdQoYLFMgzlgxAJWHpabpoOrPiAvF9DbUvngLHT7s~ASiVREsUcQ6gkoVY6c0XTlRhDZ3vDg5FXd~RY2-AxzeBE4Am3PLx7-tKCtsjQmqc~0xg~6Dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board opened a procedural discussion to create a single task list to track the district's transition work and outstanding items. The chair outlined a draft project-management table that lists task name, status, priority, deadline, assignee and percent-complete and asked staff and members of the public to propose additions by email before the next meeting.

Why it matters: Commissioners and staff said a centralized task list will keep the board and public informed about progress on insurance separation, staffing, contracts/MOUs with the county, vehicle-title transfers and other administrative items necessary for the district to operate independently.

Highlights from the proposal: staff said the draft will be refined in a series of workshop-style agenda items over the next one or two meetings; the treasurer's office will be added to the task list where accounting, auditing or cash-flow items are required; the board asked staff to bring fee-schedule and rate items to a public hearing as appropriate.

Public comment and next steps: the treasurer and other staff confirmed they had sent informational notes to staff; commissioners asked staff to produce the first fleshed-out task list for the next meeting to allow prioritization. The chair asked that all suggested tasks be emailed to staff in advance so the workshop can efficiently incorporate public and staff feedback.

Ending: The board approved using a task-list format to track work items and scheduled focused workshop time at upcoming meetings to develop and prioritize the list.","The board approved a workshop-style approach to build and track a prioritized task list for the ambulance district's transition, assigning owners, deadlines and percent-complete tracking and asking staff and the public to submit suggested tasks in advance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bonner County, ambulance district begin disentangling insurance and claims; board told claims must be paid from district funds

Bonner County Ambulance District outlines staffing plan; minimum staffing set at 27, current roster at 29

Bonner County Ambulance District repays $500,000 TAN principal and keeps line open

Bonner County Ambulance commissioners adopt a task-list approach to track the district's transition work