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Blackford County approves one‑ambulance Lifeline contract, citing large savings and staffing limits
Summary
After reviewing proposals from IU Health/Lifeline and Marion Health, the Board of Commissioners voted 3‑0 to contract with Lifeline for a single ambulance based in Hartford City, a move officials said saves roughly $300,000 annually but reduces on‑site ambulance availability.
The Board of Commissioners of Blackford County on Nov. 3 voted 3‑0 to approve a contract with Lifeline (IU Health Lifeline) to provide ambulance service under a single‑ambulance model based in Hartford City, county officials said.
County staff presented two proposals: Lifeline’s option to continue the status quo with two ambulances at a cost county staff said would be about $500,000 per year, or a one‑ambulance model stationed in Hartford City for $200,000 per year. Marion Health’s proposal was discussed but managers said it would require a local station that does not exist today and is therefore not immediately feasible.
“Lifeline has stated that one ambulance is sufficient for Blackford County based on the volume,” a county presenter said during the meeting. Commissioners emphasized the financial tradeoff: the one‑ambulance option would cut county costs by about $300,000 annually but could reduce local availability during times of patient transfers, requiring mutual aid at times.
Commissioners said they had sought quotes from other providers and that neighboring counties had declined and were unable to provide reliable alternative coverage. Commissioners authorized a three‑year agreement with an annual cost‑of‑living increase capped at 4 percent beginning in year two; the contract includes language allowing the county to truncate the agreement after six months if needed.
One commissioner summed the vote as reluctant but necessary: “I’d dearly love to have two ambulances, but I can’t see paying an additional $300,000 for a service that may not be available when we need it,” the commissioner said. The motion to accept the Lifeline contract was made, seconded and carried 3‑0.
The board and staff said they will continue to explore options, monitor service availability, and keep communication open with Lifeline and potential partners. The county noted state licensing and mutual‑aid arrangements may affect operational details.
The board did not publish the full contract text during the meeting; commissioners said attorney review and final contract drafting would be completed before final implementation.
