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Board backs SinCal ambulance JPA amendment to ease bonding requirement
Summary
Supervisors approved an amendment that lets the new SinCal joint powers authority fund a required $2.25 million bond in installments over 18 months, a change county staff said will reduce short‑term risk while enabling ambulance service transition and improved advanced life support coverage.
The Sanwaqin County Board approved an amendment to the county’s ambulance services contract with the SinCal JPA on April 28, allowing the $2.25 million performance bond originally required of the new JPA to be funded by a short‑term installment plan.
County EMS staff described the change as a risk‑management step after the newly formed JPA — a partnership of the cities of Loi and Stockton and the South County Fire Authority — told the county it had no financial bonding history. The installment plan funds the bond over the next 18 months while partner agencies provide assurances the JPA’s partners and subcontractors are financially sound.
Representatives of SinCal thanked the board and EMS staff for their cooperation in the transition. Supervisors and fire chiefs said the new operational model and regional partnership promise improved response times and advanced life‑support capabilities; one speaker said an ambulance/fire partnership recently allowed lifesaving care at a high‑school medical emergency.
The board approved the amendment and related agreement motions by a 5‑0 vote.
What’s next: the county will monitor the JPA as service begins May 1 and return as needed on operational or financial matters; EMS staff said they will report on implementation and outcomes as the contract proceeds.
