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Thayne council approves equipment transfer and contract to move local EMS under Star Valley Health
Summary
The Thayne Town Council voted Aug. 18 to allow essential ambulance purchases, approve a contract framework with Star Valley Health that transfers equipment and operations to the hospital system, and begin dissolving the town-run ambulance service under the town tax ID.
The Thayne Town Council on Aug. 18 authorized short-term emergency purchases for the Thayne Ambulance Service and moved to contract with Star Valley Health to operate emergency medical services in Thayne, transferring equipment and supplies to the hospital system.
At the meeting Mayor Devin Simpson explained the council had implemented a temporary spending hold while the Town, Thayne Ambulance Service and Star Valley Health complete a planned merger and asked that purchases be approved through the council. Members of the ambulance service and donors expressed concern that donated funds be used for their intended purposes. Lesli Dana, a member of the service, told the council she opposed folding donated funds into the town merger without restrictions.
Star Valley Health CEO Dan Ordyna outlined the hospital system’s plan for ongoing operations and proposed a funding solution during the transition, saying SV Health would place a paramedic and an EMT in Thayne on a 24/7 basis as part of its staffing plan. Mayor Simpson said the town would donate existing equipment and allow continued use of the current facility, while Star Valley Health would not charge the Town for services under the proposed arrangement. Simpson noted the council retains discretion over town funds and requested council approval for expenditures even during the transition.
Councilman Heward moved and Councilwoman Passey seconded a motion to allow the ambulance service to replace a desktop computer, repair the second ambulance rig, and purchase fuel, medications and necessary supplies; that motion carried. The council subsequently voted to contract with Star Valley Hospital (Star Valley Health), donate all supplies and equipment to the hospital as part of that contract and abolish the Town-operated ambulance service under the Town’s tax ID; the motion carried.
Thayne Fire Chief Toby Merritt suggested a debit-card limit or preapproved amount be made available for essential on-the-road purchases, and Councilman Woolley urged procedures that allow the service to buy fuel and supplies promptly. The council directed Star Valley Health and town staff to draft formal contract language; Mayor Simpson said SV Health would begin drawing up the contract.
The council’s actions do not yet provide a publicly posted final contract; council discussion said SV Health is also evaluating facility options near Thayne for overnight housing of staff, and stated the current facility is not suitable for overnight stays. The council did not set a formal effective date in the meeting record; implementation will depend on completion of the contract and any related approvals.
