Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Bannock County approves Tahoe purchase; commissioners press for staffing and GEMT funding details
Loading...
Summary
Commissioners authorized purchase of a Chevy Tahoe for the fire department for $57,069.47, and discussed hiring four additional ambulance staff pending GEMT disbursements expected May 15; staff will return with detailed budget figures.
Representatives from the county’s fire/EMS services asked the commission to authorize a FY26 capital outlay purchase of a new Chevy Tahoe to replace a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche. An agency representative said the county will use the state contract through Smith Auto Group and quoted a purchase price of "$57,069.47." A motion to approve the purchase passed by voice vote.
Commissioners then discussed plans to increase ambulance staffing by four positions to improve countywide coverage, including South County service. Planning staff and fire leaders said they were preparing budget numbers and that GEMT (Ground Emergency Medical Transportation) funds are expected to be disbursed May 15, which would affect available funding.
"We are expecting to receive the funds in early May," an EMS representative said, citing a May 15 scheduled disbursement from their contractor PCG; staff said PCG has submitted cost reports that are now under audit and that additional funds expected next year are contingent on that process. Several commissioners urged caution about hiring before costs and contract terms are fully reconciled; one commissioner described the need for a broader discussion of the ambulance-district contract and countywide service model.
Staff committed to provide a follow-up presentation with detailed budget numbers at the commission’s next quarterly update so the board can decide whether to proceed with additional hires.
