AMR asks Linn County for $75,000 annual increase in 2026 and 2027; commissioners discuss renewal options

Dawn Brooks, AMR manager, presented monthly call data and a budget request to the Linn County Board of Commissioners on June 23 and asked the county to budget an additional $75,000 for 2026 and another $75,000 for 2027 as part of a proposed five-year contract renewal.

Brooks provided call counts for county service points (for example, LaSine 23 calls/16 transports, Pleasanton 20 calls/11 transports) and said the system saw about 89 calls and 45 transports to date in the reporting month; she said annual call volume has been roughly 800 calls over the last two to three years. On the budget, Brooks said: "we're anticipating, asking for $75,000 for 2026 and then $75,000 for 2027 on a 5 year renewal" and that the company will "reevaluate financially and see if we need to add any additional costs after 2 years." She also said the contract would allow the county to issue an RFP if it wished and noted there may be a 30‑day notice provision for termination.

Commissioners asked whether the increase would change monthly costs for residents; one commissioner noted the $75,000 would increase monthly expense by about $62.50 if spread across months. Commissioners also asked whether reimbursement rates (for example Medicaid) had increased; Brooks said reimbursement rates have not changed and call volume has remained static while AMR's costs are rising. Commissioners discussed options including renegotiation, issuing an RFP and confirming termination provisions. No vote was taken at the meeting; commissioners noted the county's budget process and asked staff to review the proposal and follow up.

AMR's representative said the company applies a 3% automatic annual salary increase and that rising operating costs have prompted the budget request. The commission did not adopt the budget increase at the June 23 meeting.