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Commissioners back EMS reimbursement bill and urge caution on Public Service Commission expansion that would create veto power
Summary
A county official urged support for Senate Bill 269 (EMS reimbursement) and warned against Senate Bill 360, an expansion of the Public Service Commission to seven members that would create a director with veto power unless overridden by five votes; commissioners were asked to contact their state legislators.
A county official told the commission the county needed Senate Bill 269, which he said would improve ambulance reimbursement and reduce the county subsidy for EMS services, and urged residents to thank and stay in touch with local legislators who back the bill.
He also described Senate Bill 360, which passed the state Senate and would expand the Public Service Commission from three to seven members. The official said the proposal includes appointing a director who would hold veto authority unless overridden by five votes of the seven-member commission, and he expressed concern that the director’s veto would not be in the public’s best interest.
“I don't think that's in the best interest of the public,” the official said, and he said he had contacted state lawmakers to oppose or amend the proposal. He encouraged county residents who pay electricity bills to make their views known to legislators.
Next steps: Commissioners were encouraged to contact legislators and to monitor the bills; no formal county action was recorded during the work session.
