Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ambulance Levy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Weiser Ambulance District officials warn of tight finances and equipment strain ahead of levy vote
Summary
District leaders told Washington County commissioners the ambulance fund’s fee income is well below budget, equipment failures are limiting available ambulances and staff shortages complicate transfers. The board deferred a decision on a DBA and set the naming question for next week’s agenda.
Alan Foster, Ambulance District Director, told the Board of Washington County Commissioners on Feb. 23 that the Weiser Ambulance District is facing tight finances and equipment shortages as it prepares for a proposed levy.
Claudia Licht, Administrative Assistant for the district, reviewed the Columbia Bank credit-card statement and a Budget vs. Actual report showing ambulance fee income at about 25% of budget compared with an expected 33%. Licht said payroll expenses are at about 30% of budget, and she called attention to a $40,000 grant that was received but not included in the adopted budget and a $39,900 equipment payment for radios recorded in the period.
"Our fee income will stay depressed as long as we are continuing with only the BLS (Basic Life Support) service," Licht said, summarizing the district’s constrained revenue outlook.
Foster described mechanical and equipment problems that have reduced the district’s effective fleet. "This is beyond frustrating for me, why we're spending so much time on this," he said, urging a clear decision about whether the district should operate under a different business name or continue as the Weiser Ambulance District. Foster said two ambulances have recently failed and that batteries for stretcher/load systems are costly; he reported funding is being sought to make repairs and to bring trucks back into service.
Commissioners pressed staff for contingency planning if the levy fails. Commissioner Gordon Wilkerson said the board has a responsibility to develop a ‘‘Plan B’’ and suggested consulting the county attorney and the State Tax Commission to clarify options if the levy does not pass. Commissioner Nate Marvin said the county likely must continue to provide ambulance service to district patrons but said budget timing makes immediate answers difficult.
Foster and Licht outlined outreach and voter-education preparations for the levy, including draft mailers and a planned participation at a March 7 "Save the Life" event where the district will staff an information booth. The board agreed to place the DBA/naming matter on the agenda for a decision next week.
The district and commissioners agreed to review operational data requested at the meeting — including a hospital transfer breakdown and recent call counts — to inform staffing and fleet decisions at a future meeting.
The Board recessed the Ambulance District session and reconvened as the Board of Washington County Commissioners later in the meeting.
