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Walker County awards EMS contract to AdventHealth and approves series of resolutions and contracts
Summary
After evaluating five proposals, county staff recommended and the board unanimously approved awarding the emergency medical services contract to AdventHealth (proposed start Feb. 1, 2027, recommended five-year term). The board also approved several resolutions including opioid trust contract, bond compliance for the school board, EDA revenue bonds, a conditional $30,000 watershed match, and multiple procurement items; one renovation contract was tabled for review.
The Walker County Board of Commissioners voted May 7 to award the county's emergency medical services contract to AdventHealth EMS following a competitive request for proposals.
Blake Hodge, the county EMS coordinator, presented a staff recommendation after interviews and reference checks. Hodge said AdventHealth submitted the lowest-cost proposal at about $600,000 annually and highlighted the provider's regional footprint, training programs and paramedic-development initiatives. Representatives from AdventHealth described plans to invest in community engagement, run a local paramedic-training pipeline and provide command units for large events.
Commissioners voted to approve the recommendation; the contract term discussed was a five-year arrangement starting in early 2027 to allow for capital alignment and staff transition.
The board also approved a string of routine and project resolutions and contracts: - Resolution R-033-26: approve a contract with the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust for funds to the Sheriff's Office (unanimous). - Resolution R-034-26 and R-035-26: acknowledged compliance steps for school general obligation bonds and approved the Economic Development Authority's revenue-bond issuance related to housing development (both unanimous). - Resolution to provide up to $30,000 to Limestone Valley RC&D Council conditional on receipt of $150,000 in USDA funds for a watershed management plan; board approved the conditional commitment. - A memorandum of understanding to convey a 3.98-acre Bulldog Drive parcel to the Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority was approved with the caveat that no conveyance will take place until the county attorney issues a final opinion. - A roadway safety contract funded by GDOT LMIG was awarded to Black Rock Construction for striping and signage (unanimous). - A Victory Construction renovation contract was tabled after staff discovered additional line items in the bid packet that raised the possible total from about $84,170 to roughly $136,000; commissioners asked staff to review paperwork and consider a quick meeting if necessary.
The board approved several purchase orders including emergency HVAC repairs for county facilities, a $54,041.16 payment for urgent inmate medical services to Hamilton Medical Center, and a $35,500 interior-painting/repair order for the Walker County Health Department after discussion about price and contractor scope.
Chair Angela Teens closed new business by moving the meeting toward commissioner comments and an executive session to discuss property, personnel, litigation or security matters.
