County OKs $15,000 EMS reimbursement for ZOLL monitor after staff review

Dearborn County commissioners voted Dec. 2 to authorize a supplemental distribution from unspent EMS staffing funds and to reimburse LifeSquad $15,000 for a cardiac monitor purchased earlier this year.

Derek Stevens, who identified himself as assistant fire chief at Warsaw Fire and EMS, told the board his squad found a ZOLL X Series monitor in storage in Lawrenceburg and paid $15,000 for the unit rather than buying a new monitor at about $30,000. Stevens said ZOLL confirmed the unit is serviceable and that the purchase was intended to be fiscally responsible.

County staff reviewed the drafted supplemental distribution and said paragraph 7 allows funds not expended on staffing as of Nov. 30 to be used for other EMS purposes only with county permission. Staff told the commissioners LifeSquad should appear at the December meeting to request formal authorization; the drafted contract language also authorizes use of any unspent staffing funds on other EMS purposes with Dearborn County approval.

During discussion commissioners confirmed they intended the supplemental distribution to allow the immediate reimbursement for the monitor and to permit LifeSquad to use unexpended staffing funds for other EMS needs when authorized. A motion was made to approve the reimbursement and supplemental distribution; commissioners voted in favor and the motion carried.

The board asked staff to correct a squad name on paperwork and to finalize signatures before release of funds. Stevens said he would provide a receipt for the transaction.

Next steps: staff will update contract paperwork as needed and arrange signatures so the reimbursement can be processed.