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Bonner County outlines ambulance-district transition, names EMS advisory council; Kootenay transport contract approved
Summary
Commissioners discussed separating Bonner County Ambulance District operations from county departments, reported on finances, and approved appointments to a newly formed EMS advisory council. The board also approved a transport contract with Kootenay County starting Oct. 1, 2024.
Bonner County commissioners received an update on the Bonner County Ambulance District and voted to appoint members to a newly constituted EMS advisory council.
Commissioner updates said the ambulance operation began as a separate ambulance district and should be administered as such. Commissioners signaled plans to hold a distinct ambulance-district meeting to clarify fiscal lines, administrative support, and staffing. The board reported the ambulance district's cash balance is a little over $500,000 and said no request had been made to draw on a temporary assistance note (TAN) at the time of the meeting.
Commissioner Korn said staff will compare Bonner County’s ambulance structure and rates with placements in other northern Idaho counties and neighboring jurisdictions (including Kootenay County) to better evaluate staffing and fee proposals. The board also asked the ambulance district to update public-facing information, including the agency website.
The board approved appointments to the Bonner County EMS advisory council for two-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2025. Appointees named included Chief Jeff Lindsay (Bonner County MS Ambulance District), Mary Campbell (billing background), Gavin Gilchrist (Sandpoint fire chief), Marion Martin (registered nurse), Dr. Douglas Dixon (provider), Dmitri Borisov (Clark Fork EMS chief), Janine Shepherd (budget/reporting focus), and Commissioner Ron Korn as the commissioner liaison.
Separately, the board approved and signed a contract for emergency and nonemergency medical transport services with Kootenay County Emergency Medical Services System starting Oct. 1, 2024. The contract total for the fiscal year was stated as $9,285.45 (monthly installments of $773.79); the board noted the contract had been reviewed by legal and included an amendment for Northern Water County terms.
Commissioners said they will continue work to define the ambulance district’s administrative relationships, billing and fee structure, and any needed external fiscal review to ensure transparency and viability.
