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Commission discusses $9,000 ambulance contract increase, seeks multi-year option
Summary
Penobscot County commissioners were briefed on a proposed one‑year ambulance contract that includes about a $9,000 increase (from roughly $21,000 to $30,000). Commissioners asked staff to seek multi‑year options and clearer billing information from the contractor.
County staff told commissioners the ambulance provider was unwilling to offer a multi‑year contract and proposed a one‑year renewal that would raise the county’s cost by approximately $9,000, taking the contract from about $21,000 this year to roughly $30,000 next year.
The presenter said the company reported rising personnel and equipment costs as reasons for the increase and that other contracted towns faced similar percentage increases. Commissioners and staff probed the provider’s justification for the increase, asked whether insurance or third‑party billing offset costs, and whether the county would bear a disproportionate share of the hike.
Discussion also covered regional coverage complications, including ambulance access to remote recreation areas and cross‑jurisdictional transport costs. Commissioners noted three recent incidents at Baxter State Park where extrication and transport created added expense and friction between neighboring jurisdictions; staff said they would try to convene neighboring county administrators and the contractor to seek a more stable arrangement.
The commission asked staff to return with follow‑up options, including asking the contractor if it would consider a 2‑ or 3‑year deal with a capped second‑year increase (one commissioner suggested a 5% increase for a second year as a proposal to seek). No contract vote was recorded at the time of the transcript; the matter was left for additional staff negotiation and a later agenda.
Next steps: staff to request more detailed cost justification from the contractor, explore multi‑year pricing, and pursue regional coordination to reduce transport and boarding costs.
