Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
The Community Ambulance Service of New Rockford, represented by manager Tim Schmeets and vice president Sandy O’Connor, requested the permission of the Eddy County commissioners to place on the ballot a request for a funding increase for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) during the 2018 election.
According to North Dakota Century Code, county voters can approve up to 10 mills for EMS. “Upon a majority of qualified electors of the county voting on the question. A taxing district that levies a special emergency medical services or ambulance service levy shall ensure that every ambulance service that has portions of its service area in that taxing district, receives a portion of the revenue from this tax. “
Schmeets and O’Connor informed the commissioners that, although they are currently receiving 3.5 mills, they are requesting 10 mills because the state grants they have depended on for EMS in the past are drying up. They have received about $30,000 in grants this year, compared to $114,000 last year.
Costs continue to rise, despite the absence of grant money. One example of additional cost is the $2 per hour they are currently paying members for weekend call time. While the service has long paid members an hourly rate when on a run to help off-set the loss of wages for leaving their jobs, the weekend call pay has become a necessity to fill the schedule. They foresee that it will become harder and harder to fill the schedule. Even though they currently have a large roster, the volunteers are finding it difficult to give the hours that are required because of job requirements. The services are required 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The manager is the only full-time employee, but the organization has also recently hired a part-time bookkeeper. They are also looking at additional avenues to pay volunteers. O’Connor served as the ambulance manager for many years, putting in 30 hours per week while working another job.
Schmeets, who is a paramedic instructor, is able to train emergency personnel. Since they have paid an additional person to train in the past, having Schmeets train is a cost saving measure.
However, the cost of supplies is always increasing. Supplies that must be stocked in the ambulances are expensive, and they have expiration dates. While you don’t ever want to have to use drugs like Narcan (used in opioid drug overdoses), emergency personnel still need to stock them in the event that they’re needed. EpiPens that are used to treat allergic reactions are another example of an expensive product necessary to stock, but when expired must be discarded.
Another challenge is having ambulance services recognized as businesses. Law enforcement has always been something that has been paid out of tax dollars, whereas ambulance services have been treated more like volunteer clubs. Several years ago the ambulance service became incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit in order to receive charitable donations. This rural service is well represented at the state meetings, both by O’Connor and Schmeets.
The commission approved the request to be put on the ballot. Auditor Patty Williams will contact Schmeets to let them know what they need to do.
The commissioners again discussed hiring a Veterans Services Officer. With current Veterans Services Officer Jerry Valdivia resigning in May, the commission is evaluating the needs of the position before posting the position. The state says that Eddy County has 162 registered veterans, and the commissioners are aware that the state’s expectations of the Veterans Services Officer have increased. There are accreditations and certifications that are necessary with the position, so there will be initial training hours.
The commissioners also reviewed the 2018 Eddy County Extension Agent report prepared by Tim Becker.
Kristy O’Connor, Eddy County Tax Assessor, informed the commissioners that they plan to hold the County Tax Equalization meeting on June 5 at 10 a.m.
Sheriff Paul Lies said the sheriff’s office completed a training with the Emergency Manager’s office for the school in the event of an active shooter. Lies said there was healthy discussion regarding what to expect.
There has been general discussion in law enforcement regarding the options that are floating around about a public resource officer in North Dakota schools and how the schools can be made safer. Lies also mentioned that he was going to ask the school officials if they are interested in having a deputy walk through the school on a fairly regular basis, but noted that most changes will be coming down from either a federal or state level.
