[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6468008,"mediaKeyId","5782881-76b3408bc06160854b32f4d162aff98c","parentId",5782881,"title","Health director reports EMS call volume up 9% and mobile-integrated care near launch","audioSeconds",1242,"startMs",1489110,"endMs",2732000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5782881-76b3408bc06160854b32f4d162aff98c&start=1489&end=2732","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5782881-76b3408bc06160854b32f4d162aff98c/thumbnail_1489110.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6468008/Dickinson-County/Kansas/Health-director-reports-EMS-call-volume-up-9-and-mobile-integrated-care-near-launch","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6468008-3007b291aeec7da56a583e0f7bd4bfcc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775581498&Signature=Wvou4BUApnMBmx4MlAa1W7v3715jR-m3DAnO8qVv26vEbBKxR0y~3JGnQKH88FWMcDRdK~Hjym43C549k22ZnhWOyNvmBbOzutqIQrVNAkGjF24XbPNPt7vx1ZVJodSdr2NO2w5HDVSsZhd-oPR-4GkI2nmSU2YKEC--V5Mci8UiljUWR3NC8ymgDKzq7iArOrk7FVjYUuLdBRAeDz7Z1Zh7u~okZrVxaGs9msYGgcw7bPDuVkRvs3~2~xfoeP1G9UBtiuVJJPdsIlairsVQ3FBJe9CYLQdn6~RPG0AovKGA~XQAnXNZvK7a8AurSo-Fi8XjPyTP1fvsFwgHeP~8bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Dickinson County, KS","date","2025-09-18T20:33:42Z","article","Dickinson County Health Director John Holt updated the commission on emergency medical services and health-department activities, reporting a roughly 9% increase in call volume compared with last year and progress on a mobile integrated health program intended to increase care options.

Holt told commissioners the county is \"sitting at 9% increase in the last year's on our volume of calls\" and said that rise partly reflects lack of a local hospital in some service areas that previously diverted lower-acuity patients. He reported staffing shortages: one full-time EMS position remained open and some standby coverage for school events requires use of on-duty staff or calling in extra staff.

On mobile integrated health, Holt said physicians have received the program's draft policies and procedures and that clinical sign-off was nearing completion. \"We met a little month or so ago with over to Chapman and, doctor Freeze, ... they're excited. They're ready for us to get up and going,\" Holt said. Holt also said a data-collection program funded by a grant would be the final step before routine electronic information exchange with physicians.

Holt reported the county had an \"initial little just informational contract\" with a billing/reimbursement company named Fairline, which is working to secure reimbursement avenues from payers such as Blue Cross Blue Shield and Medicaid in Kansas. Holt said this work aims to make some services billable where they previously were not.

Holt reviewed fleet and vehicle issues: ambulances can cost roughly $300,000 each depending on equipment; staff vehicles and other fleet units have high mileage. He described a strategy of remounting ambulance patient-care boxes on new chassis to extend service life and said remounts typically are done one time rather than repeatedly because of wear on the box.

Health-department services updates included completion of school safety inspections, discontinuation of an in-house foot-care program three weeks earlier, and scheduling of flu clinics in October (including an October 14 walk-in clinic at the health department in Perryton and additional Abilene dates to be posted). Holt reported a successful annual inspection by the state EMS board with no deficiencies.

The director closed by answering commissioner questions about winter road closures and CAD-designated low-maintenance roads that route emergency vehicles around compromised routes. Holt said dispatch and deputies often provide route guidance in adverse weather and the county's mapping marks low-maintenance roads to avoid on-response mapping.

No formal commission action was taken on the health update; commissioners thanked Holt for the report and asked staff to continue tracking staffing, reimbursement progress, and vehicle needs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commission Meeting - September 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","John Holt, Dickinson County director of health, told commissioners EMS call volume is up about 9% year over year, mobile integrated health program policies are being finalized with local clinicians and an initial contract with Fairline was signed to pursue reimbursement; staff shortages remain a concern.","taxTitle","Dickinson County, Kansas","taxId",61724,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6468013,"County proclaims September Suicide Prevention Awareness Month; local providers outline resources",2702,3393675,6096000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5782881-76b3408bc06160854b32f4d162aff98c&start=3393&end=6096","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5782881-76b3408bc06160854b32f4d162aff98c/thumbnail_3393675.jpg","/articles/6468013/Dickinson-County/Kansas/County-proclaims-September-Suicide-Prevention-Awareness-Month-local-providers-outline-resources","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6468013-6394c34e014b1baf91a5466e7c509a1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775581498&Signature=kQCdSM5ABuIf4GkXYm~p9ORDcArQ1pAcFShgDWRd43JdP6dd~1xmTW6WGJ7aQ9LOW57Pd20EKIRIMHf9oFOP2VhXdP8XG8iDQ7wUPYGqdkiEjzhcnvcKs3J7EP8VY3FGmUuWQGCSrglMZzij-D1aM9cg2GkBIWGHjvhDqemZQKYy96DrIx8S2ubO2ZpT1~pXNj~75tzJzJE3jKvR4vcO8zOoMBFQBMUjHAUV2h7c3d4IK2l1i1bpZVny0QyThNojBytfDMHEpTZpGfltZL3zQxH0hv-0AGKPP263Q8eGlry7t8jXBpKLONRvOsY381gLzBG3tfhkIvNqo2nS214aqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dickinson County Commission adopted a proclamation designating September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and heard presentations from staff at Central Kansas Mental Health Center about crisis resources and local outreach.

Taylor Hawes of Central Kansas Mental Health Center read the proclamation, noting state and local suicide data and urging residents to use crisis resources. The proclamation recognized that suicide remains a leading cause of death for certain age groups and that access to care is a protective factor. \"We recognize that the impact of suicide is not limited to individuals and families, but extends throughout schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and the entire community,\" Hawes read.

Representatives from the mental-health provider highlighted resources for residents. Gretchen Boyan, communications specialist, emphasized the 988 crisis line and said it is appropriate to call or text 988 even if a caller \"is not in crisis. You can call the line... You don't have to be in crisis.\" Julie Kyson of the provider's children's services noted text capability is important for younger people who prefer messaging.

The presenters also described a mobile crisis team that can respond and said Central Kansas Mental Health Center is expanding outreach in rural counties. They promoted mental-health-first-aid training for adults and youth, sometimes offered at low cost to the public, as a way to give community members tools to recognize and respond to crisis signs.

Commissioner action: a commissioner moved to adopt the proclamation; a second was recorded and the motion passed by voice vote. The record states: \"All those in favor, say aye. Aye. We have adopted the proclamation, September suicide awareness law.\" (sic in transcript). The proclamation, as read, urges residents and institutions to increase awareness, connect people to timely support including 988, and promote community programs.

Presenters offered to provide printed materials and training information to county staff and requested a photo opportunity after the meeting; the commission accepted the proclamation and thanked the visitors.","The Dickinson County Commission adopted a suicide-prevention proclamation for September and heard from Central Kansas Mental Health Center representatives about 988, text support, mobile crisis teams, and local mental-health-first-aid training.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6468017,"Commissioners approve $500 application fee to bring demolition pilot to Dickinson County",208,6621985,6830000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5782881-76b3408bc06160854b32f4d162aff98c&start=6621&end=6830","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5782881-76b3408bc06160854b32f4d162aff98c/thumbnail_6621985.jpg","/articles/6468017/Dickinson-County/Kansas/Commissioners-approve-500-application-fee-to-bring-demolition-pilot-to-Dickinson-County","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6468017-5c8e2be8c8d96255c8421435e0810557/orig.mp4?Expires=1775581498&Signature=hitqKFlaW5UCnwPb3KZrHUwnF0n8yZS2lLngS~m4usPcTeDH4dZbCRUmpigYAUxSzJcXT1rhPpAdmUvHuMl46BOSpWip80FWMuG5GELd5HjB9K8Z-NAEpBMu3iCTO08p6xj7i8bmvNDRfbRv5GXCTynuxV-7IyNr44BPLtgWFh5nHWpzEQljgPCYyJwD~CJEFE4Sf8UrBLdj3D68jKbk1KQYp7n15Jss4UaRbYworqi4VyTNlx1qagp0qR4bnfTl9B3M3Fmn~G2xdqUann3d7i7Bj49INovxEnjKermWXs05TuYP-L6jvxdYzcoMnHKXHk-OrbkBnQhZIWrZNrEWXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dickinson County Commission approved a $500 participation payment to the North Central Regional Planning Commission (NCRPC) to enable local property owners to apply for a demolition pilot program funded by the Patterson Family Foundation.

County staff explained the NCRPC program will operate on a first-come, first-served basis within each participating county and is designed to provide demolition assistance inside city limits. The $500 payment is intended to buy into a county pool that enables five $4,000 demolition grants per county, county staff said, explaining that the program funds would reimburse property owners after proof of payment and final invoice.

\"The program will be on a first come, first serve basis for the county... The dollars go into a pool of funds that are part of an award that the NCRPC received from the Patterson Family Foundation,\" a county staff presenter said. The presenter said the program does not currently require a property-owner match and that, if awarded, owners will have 90 days to complete demolition work and submit invoices for reimbursement.

Commissioners voted to pay the $500 application fee to NCRPC to participate in the pilot. The motion passed by voice vote; the minutes record \"All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Motion carries.\" County staff said the program is structured similarly to prior demolition assistance programs in neighboring counties and that local cities would manage project eligibility for structures inside city limits.

Staff said the local application will go through the county housing department and that reimbursement will be issued to property owners after work is complete and contractor invoices are submitted.","The county approved a $500 payment to the North Central Regional Planning Commission to participate in a demolition pilot program that would provide up to five $4,000 demolition grants per participating county.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6468022,"Commissioners approve CDBG application, blight declaration and associated documents for downtown Abilene commercial-rehab project",3044,4179784,7224000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5782881-76b3408bc06160854b32f4d162aff98c&start=4179&end=7224","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5782881-76b3408bc06160854b32f4d162aff98c/thumbnail_4179784.jpg","/articles/6468022/Dickinson-County/Kansas/Commissioners-approve-CDBG-application-blight-declaration-and-associated-documents-for-downtown-Abilene-commercial-rehab-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6468022-585dda3fe1e5f70c2bc0ce68ace9a12f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775581498&Signature=c3Ulvcfp9COOH5X7PcmPFgnpDe1~OdPY~63AJNWUukIdrUxA0c6lcv0eelz~HD1GogAglpyREvCKopaTYYrOBliN1w79y-UPYiA7Cig4MOiLa-fbFyDkVpoXaLDkOzzfupLY3qPMblCdL4bVgdp-aWVWJjjxne32bO-wx2vCzrTIvpdWo5Be0~laY4Cg4noac2YBd-o-zdeLxpse4RCGTTy-1YO8V5OOwoq2xWiZVxIAsWvzokACx2jgbJIVZVklc3zMbEhhztEFyFusmTPb8hoV2BQEwm6nKqi-R7vavzERzpCulGM6XtIgeMfkG1S1eVa3IEAmzJoeaf7ACp53bQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dickinson County commissioners approved a package of motions authorizing a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application and related documents for a commercial rehabilitation project at 109–113 Northwest Third Street in Abilene.

County staff said the action formally makes the county the CDBG grantee and permits the county chairman to sign application documents and related forms. The project application includes an applicant cash match of $76,031, county staff said in the meeting's presentation.

Janelle Dockendorf, Dickinson County administrator, and county planning staff reviewed the set of forms required for submission. The items before the commission included a contract for administration (to be executed if the project is funded), a resolution to apply, a blight-declaration resolution (used to meet CDBG eligibility under \"blight\" criteria), an anti-displacement plan, and supporting documents such as a statement of assurances and a determination of level of environmental review.

A county planning presenter summarized the paperwork and the timing: \"What is before you today are basically the forms that require signature that go into the application... The application fee, paid to us for preparing the application and then also the environmental review is being paid for by the property owner... This will be on the budget under the grant fund side of the budget,\" the presenter said. The presenter also said the application would be submitted the following week.

The commission voted to:
- Approve the contract for administration that will be used if the project is funded.
- Adopt Resolution 091825 (resolution to apply) authorizing the county to submit the CDBG application and authorizing the county's chief elected official to sign application documents.
- Adopt Resolution 091825A, a blight declaration for the property that establishes the project's eligibility under CDBG blight criteria.
- Adopt the CDBG-required anti-displacement plan and sign supporting documents (statement of assurances, determination of level of environmental review, disclosure report and county attestation).

The minutes record the votes as carried after voice votes: \"All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Motion carries.\" The record shows unanimous approval on those items.

County staff said the applicant will provide a letter documenting the cash match and that if the project is funded the county will post contracts and the eventual construction contract will be added to the grant file.

Staff noted several administrative points for the public: some of the documents can be signed by the county chairman without separate motions once the resolution to apply is adopted; the county, as the grantee, will be responsible for overseeing federal CDBG compliance should the award be made. County staff also said a previously discussed additional resolution listing property-owner operational-maintenance assurances was not required after discussion with CDBG staff.

Commissioners approved the package of items and directed staff to sign and submit the application.","Dickinson County authorized the county to apply for CDBG funding for a commercial rehabilitation project on Northwest Third Street in Abilene, approved a contract for administration, a blight declaration and related assurances, and recorded an applicant cash match of $76,031.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6468027,"Dickinson County approves purchase of Comms Coach training software for 9-1-1 dispatch",6855,50715,6906000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5782881-76b3408bc06160854b32f4d162aff98c&start=50&end=6906","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5782881-76b3408bc06160854b32f4d162aff98c/thumbnail_50715.jpg","/articles/6468027/Dickinson-County/Kansas/Dickinson-County-approves-purchase-of-Comms-Coach-training-software-for-9-1-1-dispatch","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6468027-d7d435b9914aa14f1392c0bcfab0069d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775581498&Signature=WyvULWXtFzVHEf4h2qZszu0Fmox7dCaGDPrsyGRHf0Xbbq6tGYahjoHOie5T3DsRpQig-C0DQtOEAWlwSnCRt1KGO-5moX2RYuD334XqwcnByTAhqxgJDwuTru5-Css4ZaLCHwsc3UC8JeLKQecH2DofU~1tY3pYaSzeOoGj0K32FRigxwDb4k9qZ~fbKujRzCvkY2~68pG6Tu6SOAmJiDkQ~AjOxEUIMqrfF0bd7lqE4o4kyIG3a8sK-A0Zm03HUxgZKct7uB2pg9a9EnQ4aoDMLvOpz5FCoJBGP1LzmPmepiBDC6mcqLjzavyg5OSlepuM2Zi0kR-UDeonbaF1gA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dickinson County commissioners voted to approve purchase of Comms Coach, a subscription service to provide near-real-time quality assurance and call-simulation training for the county 9-1-1 dispatch center.

The county approved the annual subscription, which county staff said will cost $13,450 a year and be paid from the county's dedicated 9-1-1 fund rather than the general fund. The subscription price includes a $3,500 payment to EquiTur (the county's call-recording vendor) for integration services; county staff cautioned that EquiTur's future fees are not guaranteed by Comms Coach.

County staff said the system will automatically review calls and provide feedback to dispatchers within about 20 minutes of an incident, shortening a feedback loop that often stretched days or weeks. \"This program will, on the quality assurance side, what we call QA, basically go back and review every call that we take within 20 minutes,\" Amber, a 9-1-1 staff member, told the commission. \"Dispatchers can get that feedback if there's something that needs to be corrected right away.\"

The county's 9-1-1 fund balance was described as \"over a $100,000\"; staff said the expense would be allowable from that fund because the purchase supports training and quality assurance for emergency communications. Amber told commissioners the vendor also offers call-simulation exercises that could let trainees practice high-priority calls they may seldom see in day-to-day shifts: \"...some of our dispatchers don't ever see those high priority calls... this is just some example of what good things this program could bring to us...\"

Commissioners discussed program sustainability and competition. A commissioner asked whether the annual fee was sustainable; staff replied the subscription and recurring costs would continue to come from the 9-1-1 fund and would not require general-fund support. Commissioners also asked whether alternative vendors were available; Amber said she knew of two other companies but that their price tags were significantly higher.

A motion to approve the purchase passed after a voice vote. The minutes record the board's action as: \"Consider purchase of Comms Coach subscription for 9-1-1 dispatch; approve purchase, to be paid from 9-1-1 fund.\" The record shows the motion carried.

County staff said the subscription is renewable annually and not locked into a long-term contract, allowing the county to discontinue the service if it proves not to be cost-effective. Staff also said the product integrates with the county's existing EquiTur recorder to make searches and QA easier.

Commissioners directed staff to complete the purchase paperwork and sign the subscription contract. The purchase was handled during the regular meeting's business session; no separate public hearing was required.","County commissioners approved a $13,450-a-year subscription to Comms Coach to give near-real-time quality assurance and simulation training to the 9-1-1 dispatch team, to be paid from the county 9-1-1 fund.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Health director reports EMS call volume up 9% and mobile-integrated care near launch

County proclaims September Suicide Prevention Awareness Month; local providers outline resources

Commissioners approve $500 application fee to bring demolition pilot to Dickinson County

Commissioners approve CDBG application, blight declaration and associated documents for downtown Abilene commercial-rehab project

Dickinson County approves purchase of Comms Coach training software for 9-1-1 dispatch