Commissioners approve EMS contract amendment, election-site and health MOU; authorize courthouse lock boxes

Daviess County commissioners on March 10 approved a set of routine contracts and a hospital-related EMS amendment intended to preserve cash flow for emergency services.

Bacon, appearing for the hospital context in which the commissioners serve as board members, described EMS as a high-cost, capital-intensive service and urged flexibility so the hospital can make capital and cash-flow payments when necessary. "When you need it, you need it now and you can't wait for Anthem's payment to come in the next month," Bacon said, arguing the amendment would allow the commissioners discretion to make payments up to the contract’s limits.

The board approved EMS contract amendment No. 3 and an associated claim payment by a 3-0 vote (motion by Commissioner Cook; second by Commissioner Gebhart).

The board also approved the annual Conservation Club contract to host election day and an updated memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Deaconess and the health department; the Deaconess MOU had been revised to include language requested by county counsel and was approved pending final sanitation. Both motions passed unanimously.

During audience comment, the Sheriff asked the board to approve purchasing approximately five secure lock boxes (about $400 each) to temporarily secure firearms during inmate unshackling and related operations. The commissioners approved using the building fund for the purchase and approved the expenditure by motion (3-0).

With those items complete, the board moved to pay payroll claims and adjourned the meeting.

Actions taken at the meeting were all routine, unanimous approvals recorded on the meeting record.