Who’s In/Out for Chickasaw County Ambulance Could Be Known Tonight
Officials hope to get definitive answers about the funding of a public-run ambulance service in Chickasaw County tonight.
The County has been exploring individual 28E agreements with each city represented on the Chickasaw County Ambulance Council to help fund the regular operations of the county’s own ambulance service, with cities to contribute on a $100 per resident basis for an initial budget of $1.2 million. However, some cities have balked at the arrangement and would not give an answer in a CCAC meeting last week as to their participation.
As the third largest municipality in the county, behind the County and the City of New Hampton, the City of Nashua has lobbied for an ambulance to be stationed in Nashua. They’ve also been recruiting EMTs and paramedics to staff the ambulance, which they feel should lower their economic contribution to the county-run service.
Alta Vista and Bassett have also considered dropping out. If so, County Auditor Stephanie Mashek advised the Board of Supervisors to adjust their budget accordingly.
Supervisors voted 3-2 to move forward with the ambulance project even if towns drop out, noting the budget will also drop and the scope of service will also be reduced.
The CCAC meets this evening at 5:30 p.m. in the Community Services Building in New Hampton.
