County to pay $7,500 annually to sustain hospital transportation program

Daniels County commissioners voted March 16 to pay the hospital transportation program a flat $7,500 per year, to be disbursed quarterly, instead of the prior mileage-based reimbursement arrangement.

Bridget, the hospital’s program representative, described declining ridership driven by demographic change and driver recruitment challenges. She said federal and state grants fluctuate and that the program often depends on hospital subsidies to cover gaps; last year the county paid roughly $5,000 under the mileage method. "I'm asking rather than basing the $7,500 a year on miles... to take the full $7,500 for the year," Bridget told the commission, arguing that predictable county support would help stabilize scheduling and recruitment.

Commissioners approved the motion to pay $7,500 annually in quarterly installments and asked the program to provide quarterly usage and mileage reports to the commission. They also discussed options to boost ridership — including scheduled monthly group trips — and encouraged better marketing and outreach to neighboring counties to improve driver recruitment.

The contract amendment will take effect July 1 and staff were directed to draft a revised agreement reflecting the flat rate, reporting schedule and service expectations.