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Spring Grove forms committee to explore ambulance consolidation as fire hall design work continues
Summary
The council approved a committee to study joining the city with the local ambulance service while officials update plans and financing steps for a USDA-backed, design-build fire hall project managed by WHKS.
Spring Grove City Council members on Jan. 20 formed a committee to further explore options for integrating the local ambulance service with the city and received an update on the new fire hall project.
Administrator Jana Elton said the city is pursuing a design-build approach for a new fire hall through engineering firm WHKS and will submit selected design information to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for review; Elton estimated the USDA review process could take about six months before construction bids can be solicited.
Mayor Bryan Wilhelmson reported he had attended an ambulance board meeting and that the board requested the city explore options for joining the ambulance service. Council Member Morgan Buckland moved to create a committee composed of the mayor, the city administrator and one council member to evaluate the matter; the motion was seconded by Council Member Eric Ostern and carried. Council Member Michael Hagen volunteered to serve on the committee.
Council members discussed implications for personnel and budget: Buckland said joining could improve insurance options for recruiting staff, while Elton noted that if the ambulance service becomes a city department it could be eligible for grant funding but would likely require additional staffing and payroll responsibilities. The council did not take any formal step beyond forming the study committee; staff were directed to gather further information for future council consideration.
