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Hi, how are you? Pretty good yourself. 00:00:01
Did you send her? Good evening. I'm Diana Mayfield. I live in Highlander village in Galena. Now I have a question. We're here to 00:00:08
only discuss Ameriprotin funding. 00:00:14
What are exactly what are we discussing funding? 00:00:21
The main purpose of this meeting is to discuss funding for. 00:00:25
The RFP. 00:00:30
That the commissioners wish to proceed with, And that was America, Yes. OK. I just wanted to make sure that it wasn't going to get 00:00:33
off track with other departments and other RFP's. We'll do the best we can. 00:00:39
Skip order, Danny. Go ahead. Point of order. Yes, I I believe we had a e-mail from. 00:00:48
Mr. Langdon, that said. 00:00:57
That the agenda was open for discussion. 00:00:59
For all options of. 00:01:03
EMS. 00:01:08
Financing options. 00:01:09
Can we find that e-mail? I don't, absolutely. I don't believe we've gotten to the acceptance of the agenda. So let's proceed with 00:01:12
public comment. 00:01:15
I want to let everybody know that. 00:01:20
I am for a fire based. 00:01:23
EMS. 00:01:26
Eventually. 00:01:27
Not yet. 00:01:28
They're not. We're not ready for that yet. Maybe another year. 00:01:30
But there's a lot of work to be done to get it ready. 00:01:33
And. 00:01:37
You know, it's I feel like everybody's trying to rush the decision because there is a deadline. 00:01:40
There are things you can do at the end of the deadline to make things work. 00:01:47
All right, the paperwork that Highlander sent in didn't cover the entire county. 00:01:51
Mirror Pearl covers in Qatar County. I've just listened to Sean. We need to look at that seriously and figure out what's going on 00:01:58
money wise with that. Yeah, 30 seconds. OK. All right. And. 00:02:05
Ambulances need to be in all districts, not just one base. 00:02:14
They they need to be everywhere and I think remember at one of the meetings I attended a few weeks ago. 00:02:18
That the comment was made. How are we going to come up with the money on this and this lady here, Denise, comment. Oh, well, we've 00:02:27
got unique ways we can always come up with money. I was at the meeting, your budget meeting, and you couldn't come up with the 00:02:33
money to repair a building or hire a man. So that's two minutes. Thank you. Yeah, that's about two minutes. But I just want you to 00:02:38
know, don't rush it. 00:02:44
Take your time, Do it right so it lasts. 00:02:50
Mr. Dale Man, Mr. Chairman, Yes, Gloria, are we live streaming? 00:02:54
OK, somebody just texted, said. 00:02:59
OK, let's keep customer talking. 00:03:02
Deal, man. Georgetown. I just want to say what I've been sent all along. 00:03:06
I was very happy with what we. 00:03:10
We have, right? 00:03:14
And I feel. 00:03:15
They were very mistreated. New Capital was very mistreated. 00:03:17
Everybody knows what kind of hardship they were going through. 00:03:21
To try to come up with a financial plan. It was cheaper. 00:03:24
This is what you call it for, but they didn't come up with financial. 00:03:28
But I'm sure they tried. They might have it now. I think they were treated very much unfairly and I have nothing to do with new 00:03:31
chapter. 00:03:34
But what I see that happens in my. 00:03:37
Is it your all job to have the money And you should? 00:03:39
Choose the cheapest option. 00:03:42
And the best option for us taxpayers, and that's on yours. That's on your table. It's not mine. 00:03:44
But again, I'm very happy with. 00:03:49
System that we have now. 00:03:52
And I wish you would reconsider and give new capital another chance to come back in. 00:03:53
Isaac Isaac Williams. 00:04:00
Good evening, council. My name is Major Isaac Williams. I'm with the Georgetown Township Fire Protection District, also the vice 00:04:07
president of the Georgetown Professional Firefighters Union Local 5393. 00:04:12
Speak up just a little bit. It is the position of the Georgetown Township Fire Department and the Georgetown Professional 00:04:18
Firefighters Union Local 5393 to support the decision made by the commissioners. 00:04:23
On March 27th, we stand willing and ready to assist the county. 00:04:29
Going forward with this decision. 00:04:34
Thank you. 00:04:37
Thank you. 00:04:38
Gary Kleeman. 00:04:40
Thank you for giving me this chance to speak. 00:04:49
It obviously will be great. 00:04:52
I just want to. 00:04:55
A couple words. 00:04:58
One is, and I guess you're just working on the funding part, Commissioners are working. 00:04:59
Of the service. 00:05:05
We would hope so. 00:05:06
I'm sorry, I can't either. 00:05:09
OK. So I'll just kind of address the funding part I guess then instead of the level of care. 00:05:13
Obviously we've been getting what we've been paying for in the past where we've paid nothing, we basically. 00:05:20
That type of service where we pay little, we got that also. 00:05:27
So I'd just like to encourage you, you know, if it's a million point five, $1.5 million. 00:05:31
You divide that by the 40,000 citizens in the county is 3750. 00:05:38
A year. I paid $160 a year for garbage disposal, so I think a 7 year old girl choking on a hot dog at the grade school. 00:05:43
Is worth the 3750 a year. 00:05:55
You know, I I've heard him talk about. 00:06:00
Where are we going to get the money? 00:06:03
And then I I read about. 00:06:05
New parks being built. 00:06:07
New county offices being built. 00:06:09
ETC. I really think that. 00:06:12
The average citizen out there, he's got a 7 year old daughter in grade school. 00:06:15
Eating hot dogs? 00:06:19
That they'd be willing to pay 3750 a year for her to to have a paramedic show up to be able to plug that out because of the fancy 00:06:20
AT or E&T's not to be able to do that. 00:06:26
Thank you. 00:06:32
Doctor Commissioner, Mr. Alcanable. 00:06:35
All right, Alec, Enable Floyd County. I really want to come to you tonight, kind of as a local business owner. 00:06:44
I'm a partner in business that has an annual budget that's on par with the county's. 00:06:52
We have 13 locations, which I think is on par with the county. We have 100 and some odd 50, some odd employees depending on who 00:06:57
showed up today, which is kind of on par with the county. 00:07:01
And I just want to give an alternate kind of. 00:07:06
Vision or the other side of the coin to this statement that if you privatize this, all you get at the end of the year is a receipt 00:07:10
and you have nothing to show for it. 00:07:14
I liken that to leasing a house and saying, well, you didn't get anything for your lease. I mean, you had a roof over your head. 00:07:20
You had protection from the elements. 00:07:23
You had utilities. 00:07:27
It is true. If you privatize a service at the end of that year, you don't necessarily have equity. 00:07:30
But really you're not going to have equity if you have fire based EMS either. I know people talk about having fire trucks and 00:07:35
ambulances, but really they're only assets if you liquidate them otherwise. 00:07:41
They are very expensive pieces of equipment. 00:07:46
That require ongoing maintenance and you're going to have a lot of HR challenges as well. 00:07:51
You're going to have to recruit and retain talent. You're going to have health care benefits to discuss either with individuals or 00:07:55
with unions each year. You're going to have salary negotiations. You're going to have liabilities through your insurance companies 00:08:01
as well. The bottom line is sometimes it does make sense to lease or outsource. 00:08:07
And then the other thing is I heard that part of this was going to be funded by one and a half million dollars. 00:08:14
In ambulance services and fees as someone who fights with a. 00:08:19
Details have really been brought to the conversation yet, so thank you for your time. Thank you. 00:08:55
All right, let's move on to the. 00:09:01
Agenda item. 00:09:04
The the agenda itself. 00:09:05
The agenda states discussion on EMS funding. 00:09:08
Do I have a motion to accept the agenda as advertised? 00:09:13
I'll make a motion to. 00:09:17
Have the agenda. 00:09:21
Inclusive of options of EMS funding. 00:09:22
That's my motion. 00:09:28
2nd. 00:09:30
OK, we have a motion in a second to have the discussion. 00:09:33
On EMS funding. 00:09:36
A close up of all options. 00:09:39
Tune into my. 00:09:42
Any discussion on that? 00:09:50
We only have one option, right? 00:09:53
Commissioners. 00:09:56
Voted to contract with the Mayor pro. 00:09:59
They said they would contract with America upon. 00:10:02
Financial advice? 00:10:07
I think we need to look at the funding. 00:10:13
All the options that are on the table. 00:10:16
I don't know why that hurts. I mean that this needs to be a transparent discussion. 00:10:21
About how we're going to fund this and if we're going to limit the discussion, we're not being transparent. 00:10:26
So my options are my my motion stands. 00:10:33
All options. 00:10:38
I'm in support of considering other options as well. I think we got to look at anything that's on the table or really what's in 00:10:41
the best interest for. 00:10:45
Our taxpayers. 00:10:50
Well, let me say before we vote, that I. 00:10:55
If we're going to talk. 00:11:01
Options, then we. 00:11:03
Have to. 00:11:05
The options have to be. 00:11:07
County wide. 00:11:08
We don't even know if American would be willing. 00:11:11
To take a partial part of the county, that's true. They said they're going to negotiate with America based on our funding. 00:11:14
Options. 00:11:24
That's what I heard. 00:11:26
At the meeting. 00:11:28
But nobody else met the RFP. 00:11:29
Guidelines put out by. 00:11:32
The EMS board. 00:11:35
The Advisory Board Why do we want to limit this discussion? Connie, why do you not want to be transparent with the taxpayers? 00:11:37
And discuss all options and all funding possibilities. 00:11:45
I'm all about being transparent. 00:11:49
However, obviously there was backdoor conversations with Highlander. 00:11:52
To lead us to this position, anybody has, you're going to call high, you're going to have discussions, You're going to leave out 00:11:57
Franklin Township and New Albany Township. You're not even having discussions yet. You don't know what we're going to discuss. 00:12:04
You don't know. 00:12:12
So what Highlander put out was for. 00:12:15
Their portion, So I mean are you going to talk? 00:12:18
Highlander into. 00:12:22
Servicing our counties or our townships. 00:12:24
We've never even seen from the chief. 00:12:28
This is my motion and I stand by. 00:12:32
All options, OK? The motion is for all inclusive talks on funding. 00:12:34
I want to reiterate, this is not. 00:12:42
A discussion on. 00:12:45
A rehash of what the commissioners have gone through over the last. 00:12:48
Four meetings of. 00:12:52
Which service you prefer if? 00:12:55
If you want to talk about funding for. 00:12:57
Your own special part of the county, then talk about it. We do not need a discussion. Everybody knows the insurance and outs by 00:13:00
now. 00:13:04
Of who offers what and who thinks they have the best solution? 00:13:08
Mr. President, if I may. 00:13:14
I'm AI was under the impression and the understanding that. 00:13:17
This workshop today was called to consider all options. 00:13:23
This workshop was set. 00:13:26
Actually before the commissioners accepted the RFP's on last week. 00:13:29
That's the reason why I thought that we were here. It was just to discuss all options. 00:13:37
Of funding. This was set before they accepted. 00:13:42
The RFP's. 00:13:46
That I mean the meeting was set, but we we now have direction from the Commissioners and the direction that they would like to go. 00:13:48
It's it's our duty. 00:13:56
As the. 00:13:58
To be the foolish sharing the financial arm of the county. 00:13:59
That's that's what our discussion is. 00:14:05
Which includes all options. 00:14:12
There's a motion on the table. I just want to make a comment. I'm the one that asked for the meeting. 00:14:15
My intent was always to get to all options. My intent for calling this meeting was to have an open, honest discussion. 00:14:21
With the full council, because time when the only times that we've talked in public about this has been at joint meetings with the 00:14:27
commissioners and those have been. 00:14:32
Very limited formats given maybe 5 or 1015 minutes per topic and so we haven't had the chance to hear all options. 00:14:37
And so again, Tony. 00:14:47
I agree with Tony's you know, point of. 00:14:49
That was the reason why I called, asked for a special workshop, was to discuss funding of all options that would help give the 00:14:52
commissioners some guidance as to where we'd be going. But since that call of that meeting, they had a special meeting after we 00:14:59
called this one and made a decision, before we even had a conversation to talk about all the financing. 00:15:06
So just one minute. We've already said that, but I want to be clear about it. 00:15:14
Again, that's the correct order. They recommend something. We recommend funding. We don't recommend funding before we know what 00:15:19
we're going to be funding. 00:15:22
Let's take a vote all in favor of the amended. 00:15:27
Agenda. Say aye. 00:15:30
All opposed. 00:15:33
That passes. 00:15:35
Who would like to lead us off? 00:15:39
I'd like for you to and tell us how you're going to pay for the marriage. I would like to get this presentation out of the way. 00:15:42
The presentation that you didn't want. 00:15:50
We're going to get it again. 00:15:54
What exactly is the presentation? 00:16:02
We've all, we've all seen it. We had a chance this entire weekend to go through it and ask questions about it. 00:16:08
And now we're going to go through it. 00:16:14
I'd like to have discussion. 00:16:16
Because I think it's going to get. 00:16:18
Off track, if we lead with this, I think we need to lead with what the commissioners proposed, which is how we're going to fund 00:16:20
America Pro. We can obviously talk about this too, but I think we need to have discussion on America. 00:16:27
Actually. 00:16:41
It is funding. The commissioners are the executive body of the county. 00:16:46
They make contracts all the time. It's our job to figure out how to fund them. 00:16:51
And it's this particular situation has been out there for a while. 00:16:56
As was stated earlier by a couple folks, and I concur that we've got a bargain for the last several years. 00:17:02
Some of us in the room can't remember when it was free because they could build and accommodate everything about 10 years ago. 00:17:10
Yellow Ambulance came in, said we can't do it anymore because we can't build for certain things, so they added a stipend. 00:17:18
They left in a lurch. 00:17:24
I think then the contract with New Chapel to. 00:17:27
To do the services I will make a statement, just a statement that we we. 00:17:31
Paid for services for the last seven or eight years. 00:17:39
220 several years and went to 280. 00:17:42
We paid for service. 00:17:47
We got service, in my opinion now somewhat made debate whether it was good service, bad service or indifferent service, But we got 00:17:49
service. So we paid for a service, we got a service. 00:17:54
Now I know we have this big old distraction over here that's out there and honestly, I don't care anything about it, but the 00:18:00
commissioners decided. 00:18:03
That we would go with Ameripro. 00:18:07
And I think there's still there in 10. I can't speak for the commissioners, but it's their intent to. 00:18:10
Now the RFP is out there to negotiate. 00:18:16
With Mayor Pro, possibly a one year contract. I heard maybe a two year contract because I think everybody in this room recognizes 00:18:20
that. 00:18:23
Ultimately, maybe Firebase may be good or standalone unit may be better. 00:18:27
County you know county funded, county ran. But I just don't think we're ready for that right now and that's why we need to 00:18:33
consider the. 00:18:37
Commissioners, what they've decided. 00:18:41
To go forward with was with American Pro and actually this first year would and actually contract won't start till. 00:18:43
June 1, so we only had to fund. 00:18:51
Six or seven months of this year to worry about. 00:18:55
Discussed more more Discussed permanent financing but. 00:18:58
In my opinion, This is why we have a rainy day fund, because this is a rainy day and in my opinion, we should fund this at least 00:19:02
the end of this year through the rainy day fund as we start to keep this process going through a negotiation. 00:19:08
Of getting a EMS system in our county that everybody can be happy and pleased with, which I doubt that will ever happen, but we 00:19:15
can work toward that end. 00:19:19
That's my little ****. That's my little moment. 00:19:25
My position is at large, which is the whole county. However, I do live in Franklin Township. 00:19:37
I feel that Franklin Township gets left out a lot. 00:19:45
On multiple. 00:19:49
We have a Volunteer Fire that. 00:19:52
Protects us via fire. 00:19:54
Umm, after much complaining. 00:19:57
Georgetown did opt in for mutual aid with them. Thank goodness. Umm. 00:19:59
But as I said in the commissioners meeting, you know, I never know who I'm going to get somehow. 00:20:06
Somebody shows up. Um. 00:20:13
I have a few issues. 00:20:18
With the Highlander proposal. 00:20:22
I don't think it was transparent. I don't think it was forthcoming. 00:20:27
There were. 00:20:33
We still have yet to see from the chief. 00:20:35
We had. 00:20:38
The Vice President of the Union. 00:20:39
Talking to the Commissioners at their meetings regarding. 00:20:43
Their proposal? 00:20:46
And their proposal doesn't even cover the entire county. 00:20:49
That's a huge concern about. 00:20:53
You've got two opposite ends of the county that are going to be unprotected under that. 00:20:56
Proposals. 00:21:02
I don't believe that the commissioners have discussed with the mayor pro splitting the the county. 00:21:07
Maybe. Obviously, I think that's kind of where you guys want to go with. 00:21:13
Having them negotiate but. 00:21:17
The other problem I have is. 00:21:21
During the special meeting, it came to light. 00:21:26
That there were several misrepresentations. 00:21:31
Within the Highlander proposal. 00:21:33
I'm not confident that Highlander would be up and running before May or before June 1st. 00:21:40
I just don't know how that's going to happen. 00:21:46
Everybody knows how government works. 00:21:49
It's slow. 00:21:52
They just submitted. 00:21:53
Their paperwork to be ALS transport. 00:21:55
Although they said a week and a half earlier that they had already done. 00:21:59
So that's that's kind of worrisome to me and the fact that the chief doesn't come to represent his. 00:22:03
Operational. 00:22:11
System. That's another worry. Why would why would you not have? 00:22:14
The head of operations. 00:22:19
To propose to the Commissioners what they intend to do. 00:22:21
So I have a lot of concerns. 00:22:26
A lot of concerns regarding that. 00:22:30
I I was really disappointed that to see that they spent all this time having this EMS Advisory Board. 00:22:40
And then they made their suggestion to the county, and it was. 00:22:48
Declined I think with the representatives serving on that Commission are far more qualified than I am to make any of these 00:22:52
decisions and yet they were comfortable and suggested going with this and felt comfortable in getting this up and going in time 00:22:57
so. 00:23:03
I don't know why that's not off the board. I think it should be. I should be. I'm not sure how this plays in effect with Nominee 00:23:09
Township. 00:23:12
We just had heard the news that. 00:23:17
Hopefully that EMS coverage is including that. Whether it is or isn't, I still think we need to be looking at. 00:23:20
Hollander Fire District. 00:23:26
Except in that part of the proposal, if we need to look another option for the Township, even a hybrid, possibly. 00:23:29
That may be another consideration. 00:23:35
I don't think we can discard that, and I'm not in favor of. 00:23:38
The other proposal that Commissioners are behind right now. 00:23:43
I thought we were talking about how we were going to find a mirror problem. I haven't heard anything about that changed when the 00:23:49
agenda was altered. 00:23:53
If you have some more comments, go ahead. 00:23:57
OK, nobody. The only thing I've heard about. 00:23:59
Funding for a mayor Pro is using rainy day. 00:24:02
To get through this year, to to get through this year and then what? What do we have a long term solution? 00:24:06
Is it going to have to be a tax increase? Are you going to roll down? You're the one who said in an open meeting that you had 00:24:15
solutions for the future. 00:24:17
Only there's some unique situations. 00:24:22
That allow us to do the fire. 00:24:25
Ambulance up on the hill. 00:24:28
That we can talk about. 00:24:31
They do not work if we do. 00:24:33
If if we do private, they do not work and you'll you'll see why. 00:24:37
But we need to talk about fun. 00:24:43
Highlander. 00:24:48
We cover 2 townships. 00:24:50
At $800,000. 00:24:52
Which leaves. 00:24:54
4 townships uncovered so. 00:24:56
The percentage is. 00:24:59
Well over $900,000. 00:25:01
For the rest of the county. 00:25:03
But, but you're not looking at that, right, Danny? 00:25:05
They're gonna cover Georgetown, too. They are not. They are absolutely not. 00:25:09
OK, that was what was in their proposal. That was in their proposal. They can't just go into Georgetown's jurisdiction and say 00:25:13
we're going to cover you. 00:25:17
It's a con. 00:25:24
OK. I don't. I don't know. 00:25:27
I would love. Honestly, I I. 00:25:29
I thought that's what we were talking about up on the hill, the whole hill. 00:25:33
We have to get legal advice on that, on how that works. I mean I I would. 00:25:40
Want Georgetown to be a partner in this and come alongside to be a partner in IT, what we do. But I think what Jim said is exactly 00:25:46
what I think we need to be looking at and that is a hybrid solution. 00:25:53
And and maybe it it. 00:26:01
Maybe it is time for us to just go through the presentation and anybody else has anything else. 00:26:04
Because I think that's what I think is. 00:26:10
Based on the numbers. 00:26:13
I think that's the best thing. And I also want to make sure that the public understands safety. Has to be #1, has to be #1. We 00:26:16
have to provide a good service, excellent service for the entire county, for the entire county. 00:26:23
Connie, I understand that. 00:26:31
For the entire county. 00:26:33
And but we need to do it with the taxpayers in mind. 00:26:36
So I don't know how we do this Ameripro. 00:26:42
We can do it for one year. 00:26:46
But without raising taxes, I don't know how you do it for 2025 S. 00:26:48
But I think we have a way. 00:26:54
To do that. To not raise taxes. 00:26:59
With the fire based solution. 00:27:02
So there's some confusion with. 00:27:04
What I believe is the discussion point. 00:27:09
If if the discussion point was not clarified at the beginning of the meeting and including the fire based discussion. 00:27:13
And would be on America Pro and America Pro only. 00:27:21
So the way I view it is, I'd like to have that discussion first as it was the intent of some to just do that. Only then we can go 00:27:24
into the fire base and then we can have a discussion of it, it seems like. 00:27:30
I'm going to ask again that we all discuss Ameripro. 00:27:37
Funding because that's what the commissioners have put forward. I think they are interesting. They're all three of them here, I 00:27:41
believe. 00:27:45
They are interested in what we have to say about that. 00:27:49
But I think it's getting hijacked over back to everybody wants to take shots at fire based option. We're not even there yet. 00:27:52
I think when you do. 00:28:00
Have a discussion on Amerigrom. 00:28:01
And the only thing that I've heard is. 00:28:05
Dale put forth a rainy day till the end of this year. 00:28:07
Obviously need some ideas about how we're going to fund what the commissioners have put forward. Yeah, we'll get to the fire based 00:28:12
option. 00:28:15
We'll talk about that. 00:28:19
Let's talk about America. 00:28:20
Well, in our group emails I had asked were we gonna ever address the benefit study? Because I think that is an option out there 00:28:23
for some funding. I'm not saying it's gonna cover the full funding. 00:28:30
But we have not have a presentation, we haven't had a go through that. 00:28:36
That what's being offered in there. I've got some ideas, but since I haven't had a presentation, some of my assumptions may be 00:28:41
incorrect some. 00:28:46
Really don't want to put any specific numbers out there until we. 00:28:52
Are ever going to really seriously address that? I think that's something we need to bring. 00:28:56
To the board with the commissioners, I mean, they're going to have to sign off on this too, but. 00:29:01
Clearly, I don't think we have funding, no matter what option we're looking at to cover the whole county. We got to look as many 00:29:06
things we can to help. 00:29:09
Cover that without creating a new tax. 00:29:13
My first choice would be legacy funds. 00:29:22
So how do you, how do you propose to do that? At least the overage of what we don't use every year? 00:29:26
At least the overage. 00:29:32
And we're looking at several $100,000. 00:29:35
Of overage that we do not use. 00:29:37
I'm not talking about touching the principal. 00:29:40
It's interest income. 00:29:44
So talk number, talk real numbers here. To me, I don't know, there's thirty $31 million. 00:29:46
And both silos of the legacy. 00:29:51
But but 15,000,000 of it is commissioners that they have bonded against. 00:29:53
They pay bonds with that money. 00:30:00
OK. 00:30:03
OK, so there's it's not there, Danny. There's 15,000,000 left, am I correct, 17,000,000 left, 17,000,000? 00:30:07
On the legacy foundation. 00:30:15
Give or take 17,000,000 at 5%. 00:30:19
$850,000 a year and then and the and the and the grant process has already started. 00:30:25
So yes, we can do that and I actually thought about it. It's not a cabinet $500,000 a year because that's all we ever grant out is 00:30:32
$500,000 a year and that last year we only did 350 that frees up. 00:30:38
A minimum of $300,000 per year. There's a start. 00:30:45
OK, I don't disagree. I mean, I don't disagree with that at all that we should maybe look at the possibility of that, although. 00:30:51
That is the legacy board's decision, not ours. 00:31:00
The grand thing is the legacy boards decision. 00:31:05
The whole the whole thing is legacy boards decision. 00:31:09
They have to agree to give us that. 00:31:13
I believe that's right. 00:31:16
Does anybody else know for sure? 00:31:17
I don't think that's correct. 00:31:20
The legacy board is taxed with. 00:31:23
Vetting organizations to grant money to. 00:31:28
But that's one of the task. 00:31:32
No matter the understanding that we would, we would be treated no differently than somebody that applies for a grant. 00:31:37
Well then we need to have our attorney look into the bylaws of that and how those change. We definitely need somebody to give us 00:31:44
some legal advice on that, but I I was always under the understanding that it was. 00:31:50
That those funds are tasked with the board to grant. 00:31:56
Up to a certain amount. 00:31:59
That we set annually. 00:32:01
That's my understanding. Then if we want to change that, we got to go back to state legislature. 00:32:03
That's my understanding, my understanding as well, but just so you so I understand the. 00:32:10
I mean, the Legacy Foundation was created for the betterment of the county, correct? 00:32:15
Sure. What better way to serve the county than by subsidizing EMS service? What better way? Let's ask. 00:32:21
I agree. I agree. I think it's a good way to maybe get a couple 102 hundred $300,000. 00:32:30
So there's two or 300,000. 00:32:37
But are you talking one year, two years, you're going to do that? I'm talking every year as long as this models in place until? 00:32:41
Until the model changes OK. 00:32:49
So let's just call it 300,000 a year. 00:32:54
Now what? 00:33:02
I want to suggest that we look. 00:33:07
One to three years out. 00:33:11
Because we're all in agreement and I think. 00:33:13
Most everybody listening right now is in agreement that. 00:33:17
We don't want this privatized forever. 00:33:21
If we do this, it's for. 00:33:24
Until something else gets up to speed. 00:33:26
OK, so I think we need to be looking one to three years out. 00:33:29
How can we sustain it for? 00:33:32
Until the end of 2025, a minimum of one year. 00:33:36
A Max of the three-year contract. 00:33:39
Would everybody agree that that's. 00:33:42
Can we kind of get a consensus that that's what we're looking at here? Yeah, I mean, I think so. 00:33:46
I would agree with that. 00:33:52
So how do you fund it for three years, 1.8 million or $1.5 million a year? 00:33:53
We for 2020. 00:33:59
If we do seven months, we owe $875,000 for 2024. We're going to take that out of rainy day. 00:34:03
My second option. 00:34:17
And it may just be for. 00:34:19
2025, maybe not 2024. 00:34:21
Is to ask for some commissioner buy in. 00:34:24
And I think I've caught some signals that there would be some willingness to. 00:34:29
Find some funds, I'm not sure. 00:34:35
The depth of that. 00:34:38
But umm. 00:34:40
I think the Commissioners understand that. 00:34:42
They're asking quite a bit of us. 00:34:45
And I think that's a logical step as well. 00:34:49
I don't know what that number looks like, but I think. 00:34:53
I think that's worth some discussion. 00:34:56
Sure. 00:35:00
So maybe another couple, two or two or 300,000. 00:35:03
Is that what we're thinking there? 00:35:07
Call it 201st. 00:35:09
25200 for 2025. 00:35:11
OK, we still need a million. 00:35:16
For 2025. 00:35:19
It's not a big amount, but we still got excess riverboat funds. It's not committed. 00:35:25
Based on our budget, excess river, yeah, what is that 100, twenty 550,000 excess above and beyond, right, somewhere right over 00:35:29
100,000. It's not big numbers but it I mean we got to do what we can. 00:35:36
OK. 00:35:44
Good discussion. Now we're up to 600,000. 00:35:48
And this is all ifs. If we can get the legacy board, if we can get the commissioners, if you know. 00:35:56
We do have a riverboat. 00:36:02
I don't care. 00:36:15
Medicine. I know this is an orthodox, I just wanted to point out that. 00:36:17
You already use budget for 300 roughly. 00:36:21
200 and 22/22/20. 00:36:25
Well, but we got to pay New Chapel for five months. 00:36:31
Five months. 00:36:34
We don't budget 2025. 00:36:37
I don't want to overstep my bounds like. 00:36:41
Understand. Understand. 00:36:44
I'll just don't have anything to do with the budget right now, but most of everybody that knows me. 00:37:04
Knows that I think government. 00:37:10
Federal, State and local. 00:37:12
It should be very limited and that should be public safety and infrastructures, and I think we've all concluded this is a matter 00:37:14
of public safety. 00:37:18
Mr. Schollenberger last week said it's like a three legged stool and I encourage police, fire and EMS is public safety. 00:37:23
And so and actually especially local government, think we should be very limited. 00:37:31
And I've stated everybody knows just that's like last year. That's why I voted against $20,000 for free rides for each fair. 00:37:38
Because I think local, especially local government and all forms of government should be very limited on those. 00:37:46
To those two main issues and we are a service provider at period. That's all local government is, we provide service. 00:37:52
And at the end of the day. 00:37:59
Somebody's got to pay for it, I mean. 00:38:01
We try to figure out ways the best we can, but if we want public safety, which I think everybody in the county, the gentleman I 00:38:04
spoke to said that he wants public safety, I bet you if we'll put it on a referendum. 00:38:09
It would pass probably 80% they would want and service in the county. If we put it on a referendum, everybody's from every 00:38:15
referendum. 00:38:19
If we were to put it there, it would probably pass. 00:38:23
7580% I can't imagine anybody not wanting EMS service in the county, so. 00:38:27
We just we provide service and I think it should be very limited service. 00:38:33
Like reiterate public safety. 00:38:38
Infrastructure. 00:38:41
And this is public safety. 00:38:43
So somehow, some way, we have to figure out a way to pay for it, and that's. 00:38:45
And that's that's what that's what we're tasked to do. This body is attached to do that figure out how to pay for it. 00:38:50
At the end of the day. 00:38:57
So getting back to. 00:39:12
So. 00:39:18
Back to our. 00:39:21
Jim brought up benefits. 00:39:23
We've got a benefit study back that we're going to be going through. 00:39:26
That shows. 00:39:30
Fairly average. 00:39:33
To surrounding counties and counties our size. 00:39:35
But you know one idea we've. 00:39:38
Toss back and forth for a while is PARF. 00:39:42
And I know we've kind of talked about new employees coming in differently than existing ones. 00:39:46
But even if birth was cut in half. 00:39:53
It's $280,000. 00:39:55
And that may be that never may grow to 300 with. 00:40:02
Cost of living and. 00:40:06
I'm not sure if he might willing to do that or not, but just throwing it out there, that's another thing. I think that's a 00:40:11
commissioner call again. It is and I mean we talk about, you know. 00:40:16
There were some people here who? 00:40:22
Voted to. 00:40:26
Not support a contract. 00:40:28
That was already signed. 00:40:31
By the Commissioners. 00:40:33
So that is a Commissioner issue. 00:40:35
That has to be worked through together. 00:40:40
To make sure we can come up with a solution that we all agree to. 00:40:45
Well, it's still the same thing on healthcare as well. I mean, it's the same thing. It goes back to that, but there's actually 00:40:50
bigger savings potentially there, but. 00:40:57
Once again, we haven't had this meeting or discussion about it, but there's there's potential for 500,000 there from what I've 00:41:03
seen in doing comparisons with other counties. 00:41:08
I don't know if I'm current comparing apples with apples yet because we have not had a detailed breakdown on this thing. 00:41:13
There's a significant amount of dollar amount. 00:41:19
I'm guessing when the commissioners signed their contract with. 00:41:45
Whoever they whatever happens. 00:41:48
I guess it's going to run. 00:41:52
June 1 to June 1. 00:41:54
It's or would it change to January to January? 00:41:55
Gene have a thought on that. 00:41:59
Men. 00:42:03
Because basically, we'll be paying. 00:42:05
Six months this year at a new Chapel. 00:42:07
And six months to whatever happens. 00:42:10
6 + 6. 00:42:18
I suppose it's a shot, my granted. 00:42:34
This is that statue. 00:42:37
When it comes to the legacy foundation for the joint meeting, a majority, majority. 00:42:40
Then you can just you do it once a year. 00:42:46
So. 00:42:57
I like home members. Sorry. 00:42:59
I like code numbers, they're just easier to throw out. 00:43:02
So by my rough calculations, if we go with American Pro, we need $2.4 million to get us through the end of 2025. That would be 800 00:43:05
for this year. 00:43:10
And the 1.6 for next year. 00:43:16
Now that's depending on their negotiations. 00:43:18
That $2.4 million. 00:43:23
Gives us. 00:43:26
A year and a half. 00:43:30
Plus a little bit to. 00:43:32
Figure out if we're going fire based. 00:43:36
Or county based. 00:43:39
And how to sustain that for the remainder? 00:43:41
But that 2.4 million is going to get us. 00:43:44
Through the end of 2025. 00:43:47
Does that make sense? 00:43:52
Another option we have if we don't want to. 00:44:04
Deal with legislature or bylaws of legacy is. 00:44:08
Go to pull some principal out. 00:44:12
A1 Town. 00:44:14
A long time to get us through. It takes a majority vote, a supermajority vote, 7 council. 00:44:17
Twice, one year apart, December and January. 00:44:25
No, it has to be 12367, yeah. 00:44:29
Yeah, so it won't be here till. 00:44:35
And it's 10 it's up to. 00:44:38
April 1st of. 00:44:40
I mean, if we're going to talk about principle. 00:45:11
That's you know we're going to be capped at 2 million that would that would affect their side pretty significantly as well I think 00:45:14
but. 00:45:17
And it's thank you for the clarification and it's and it's a supermajority vote of all ten of us. 00:45:20
So if there's 17 million in there now? 00:45:27
And we could pull a maximum of, I mean there's 30 in there, but. 00:45:30
If we drop from 17 million to 15,000,000, there's there's still $750,000 in interest generated to grant against. 00:45:36
That we only grant. 00:45:44
Less than $500,000 per year, so it wouldn't be affecting any of the. 00:45:46
Legacies, operations. They would still be able to do what they've done since its inception. 00:45:49
We'd basically be using. 00:45:54
All of the gains that we've had over the last when we put that in place four years ago. 00:45:58
All the gains that we had over the last four years would be calling out. Listen, I think if we have to do that, then we need to 00:46:06
look at that option. That's why we're not talking. I think it's an option. 00:46:12
And it's been a while since I've looked at this. I just pulled it up just trying to look at it pretty quickly. 00:46:20
If you're pulling more than that, 10% or 2 million? 00:46:26
Then the votes. 00:46:30
Must occur on 2 occasions that are at least one year apart. That same provision is not in the section when it talks about the 10% 00:46:32
or $2 billion. So you do not, it doesn't appear to me. And again, I mean I'm kind of doing this on the fly right now. I don't 00:46:38
believe that. 00:46:43
I think if you're going to take the larger amount, it does have to be the two votes. If you're taking the smaller amount, I don't 00:46:49
believe it does. I could be wrong. I'm looking at it pretty quickly right now. I'm pretty sure you did. 00:46:53
I don't know. I mean, I'll take the lead of the council, of course, but I thought it was an understanding if you're going to get 00:47:01
it to the principal. 00:47:04
That's a pretty big ask and that needed to be a that criteria was was met to have a high standard of getting into the principal. 00:47:07
That was my understanding from early on. 00:47:12
Of course we have to research more, but that's the way I understand by design, Mr. Eagle, to keep politicians from getting their 00:47:18
filthy, grubby hands on that principle. 00:47:22
I just I just want to again state that. 00:47:30
Yes, it would take some principle, but it's not affecting. 00:47:34
The granting operations, because they're not using it all anyway, it wouldn't affect the commissioners pool, it wouldn't affect 00:47:39
the granting pool. 00:47:42
It would do. 00:47:47
In my mind what it was created to do? 00:47:50
Which give us an option for when something like this arises, for public safety, for the good of the people of Floyd County. 00:47:52
I mean, it's named the legacy. 00:48:02
If it kick started a county wide or fire based. 00:48:04
EMS service. 00:48:07
What greater legacy is that? 00:48:09
Brad, you want to go ahead with your presentation unless anybody else has anything? 00:48:23
I mean, I didn't have just, I guess. 00:48:28
The. The. 00:48:31
Not sure if I'm remembering the motion correctly from the commissioners It was contingent on negotiation with. 00:48:33
America Pro and Council funding approval. I'm paraphrasing, but I think that's what the motion was. 00:48:42
So we really don't know what at the end of the day is going to be negotiated out with the mayor pro. We don't really know what the 00:48:49
price tag. 00:48:52
I don't know what the price tag is. We we don't know what that is yet. 00:48:56
Jim, I think maybe you were referring to that then? 00:48:59
You know, I guess who's the other question is who's doing the negotiation or is there going to be any representation from this 00:49:03
board in in those negotiations? 00:49:07
You know, I don't know those those answers. 00:49:12
I like the discussion. I think it's very informative. At least we have something to work with here. 00:49:16
Gonna roll up our sleeves and try to see where where this all goes but. 00:49:23
There's at least something there to work with. 00:49:27
My goal was to look at all options. 00:49:30
And you know, we'll figure out where we go from here. 00:49:32
But Tony, did you have anything? 00:49:37
Else on American Pro or. 00:49:41
No. 00:49:43
Do we have the presentation of Gloria? I'll just go through that. 00:49:48
Quickly we can. 00:49:52
Discuss that. 00:49:54
That's it. 00:50:04
You want to go to the second slide for me please? 00:50:05
So what was taken from the highlights of their of Highlanders plan was. 00:50:10
2 1/2 ambulances, 2 of them were 24 hour trucks and one peak truck which is 10 to 12 hours a day, five days a week. So 2 1/2 00:50:20
trucks to cover. 00:50:24
Excuse me? 00:50:29
The Greenville, Georgetown, Lafayette and Franklin townships. 00:50:31
That's in their plan. 00:50:35
There is a there is 1/4 surge truck that can be brought up seven days a week if needed for the Highlander district. 00:50:38
That's also in the plan. 00:50:46
That includes 12 new employees, 6 paramedics, 6 EMT's. 00:50:48
They have an MO U with Harrison County. 00:50:53
Bless you. 00:50:57
And Ameripro and Tri Township. They are also finalizing an MOU with Baptist Self Floyd. 00:50:59
The cost of the county per their plan is 802 for the first year only. 00:51:08
And the reconciliation at the end of the year to focus on true cost the service. 00:51:15
Again, $220,000 is what we currently play pay, I should say. 00:51:20
And still on the table as an option to offset any unforeseen cost. So the reconciliation because the bottom line about EMS 00:51:25
regardless of. 00:51:29
Whether it's private provider, whether it's whether it's fire based or or whatever it's it has to be funded. 00:51:34
Denise, do you want to talk about the funding numbers here, what you alluded to in the public meetings? 00:51:41
Can you go to the next slide, Laurie? So this is a cash flow very similar to what we do for the county. 00:51:52
This is only the Highlander Fire District General Fund cash flow. It doesn't include their cap funds, so they are starting the 00:52:03
year 2024 with $2,000,000. 00:52:11
That is a rate of .2182. 00:52:19
Their levy dollars are 2.4 million. 00:52:24
They this is this is where some of the uniqueness comes in that gives us the ability to do this I. 00:52:29
They did not get their certified chairs this year. 00:52:39
Because of the merger. 00:52:44
So what's going to happen? And we have to thank some of our local government, local, local. 00:52:46
Elected officials Ed. Claire John. 00:52:57
Brad who went up and um. 00:53:01
Got the House Bill 1121 passed, which is going to allow that to get back. 00:53:06
Their certified chairs in 2025 that they did not gain in 2024, so but let's continue down 2024 the Highlander fire budget for this 00:53:15
year. 00:53:21
Is 3.2. 00:53:27
They are saying it's going to cost 802. 00:53:30
To run the ambulance service. 00:53:35
And what? 00:53:39
I was recommending and I think, I think that I put these numbers together with the help of Jeremy's. 00:53:42
And I think. 00:53:50
Brad and both Tony were in agreement with IS that we could use part of the Air Cares Act money that we set aside. 00:53:52
Earlier this year. 00:54:00
To fund the 100, the 802, so they could staff up for those 12 people. 00:54:02
Then we get into 2025. They are going to carry a balance into 2025 of $1.2 million. 00:54:08
They're going to have levy dollars coming in of two million, 526. 00:54:17
Certified shares of one point. 00:54:24
1,000,000. 00:54:27
And the. 00:54:28
The almost million dollars, 924,000 that they didn't get in 24 but going to get in 25. 00:54:31
So they're going to have extra money coming in. 00:54:38
In 2025. 00:54:40
Which makes, which is part of the beauty that makes this work. They had some. 00:54:43
Let's get through the rest of the analysis and then we'll go back. 00:54:49
I just took the 802 and increased that by 3% I think. 00:54:53
This 220 is what was budgeted that alluded to earlier that we thought we might be able to help them with for next year. 00:55:00
Again, that's a discussion point. 00:55:12
Then they would end the year with 1.8 million, almost 1.9 million going into 2026. 00:55:15
They start the budget with 1.9 million. 00:55:21
Again, all the way through they get their levy dollars of 2.6, their certified chairs of 1.1. 00:55:24
Their fire is now 3.4 million for the budget. 00:55:31
And the EMS service is 850. They end the year with $1.5 million. 00:55:36
So this is fully funded. 00:55:44
Up on the hill. 00:55:48
Fire service without any tax increase. 00:55:49
Or getting into any of the county well other than the first year any of the county money as we've been discussing with the other 00:55:54
option. 00:55:59
The unique things that have happened that it gives us the ability to do this is that they came in with a hefty beginning balance 00:56:04
because Greenville had. 00:56:10
Some money, extra money when they when they when they merged. 00:56:15
Together, the other unique thing that I talked about was. 00:56:20
They are going to get their certified chairs back in 2025. 00:56:25
Thanks to some people you know that went went to back. 00:56:30
That would not have happened otherwise. 00:56:34
So there's an extra $1,000,000 there. 00:56:37
So I think there are some really unique I. 00:56:42
Things the timing of this is very unique. 00:56:46
That gives us the ability to do this up on the hill. 00:56:50
Yes, it doesn't cover the whole county, but I think what Jim said was right on. 00:56:55
We use this other money to help. 00:56:59
Possibly a hybrid situation where we can get Ameripro, who is already in New Albany to go over into the New Albany Township and 00:57:02
and do that services or do the services over there for another for a year or two. 00:57:10
And we'd have to look at what we'd have to negotiate, which is what they're talking about, which is what the commissioners are 00:57:21
talking about. Let's go negotiate and see what we can. 00:57:25
See what we can find. Are you all? Do we need to stop? 00:57:31
No. So let me let me finish and then we can go ahead and finish up. 00:57:36
OK, so anyways this this there truly are some unique. 00:57:45
Timing situations that give us the opportunity here to move into a fire based. 00:57:52
EMS service on top of the hill without. 00:58:03
Without any new tax increase. 00:58:06
Now down at the bottom of the hill, then we have to start thinking, OK, well that might cost us another $800,000. 00:58:11
Or 600,000, I don't know what it's going to be, but then you all just mentioned how we might be able to get that money. 00:58:18
Just to to to. 00:58:26
To financially support that and and I had a talk with two of the New Albany board members today who said that they would be very 00:58:30
willing to work with us on the financing to see. 00:58:36
Umm. What the Levy situation is going to look like once they umm. 00:58:42
Have gotten a few other things behind them. 00:58:49
So let me move on and then we, I'm sure we'll have a lot of questions about the funding. There's just only a couple more slides 00:58:53
here if you want to go to the next one, please. 00:58:57
So some of the things explained. 00:59:01
That Denise just talked about. The council would need to appropriate 802 to be used by by Highlander to staff up to run the 2 1/2 00:59:05
ambulances as described in the previous slide from June 1st of this year to June 1st of the of the next year. House Bill 11/21 was 00:59:11
adopted and signed into law actually with their presentation would have been two weeks ago at this point Miles highlighted to 00:59:17
recover the loss of revenue. We talked about that. 00:59:23
These two items allow the Highlander Fire District to run a fire based ambulance service for a few years without raising taxes. We 00:59:30
talked about that. So the outlook is that once we get through the next few years, Highland Fire District will adjust their levy is 00:59:36
needed to continue to provide that EMS service within their district only and it will need to be funded long term from 2027 and 00:59:42
and beyond so. 00:59:48
This this here provides a. 00:59:55
I'll use Denise's were a unique opportunity to continue to provide the service on the Hill. 00:59:59
At no additional expense of taxpayers for the next few years gives us that two to three-year window that we all have been looking 01:00:06
for to. 01:00:10
Get a more permanent solution to put be put in place. 01:00:15
We can go next slide please. 01:00:18
Benefits to the approach, again, not going to harp on these, anybody that wants to see the presentation, I'll make it available if 01:00:21
I go to the next one. 01:00:25
Those are continued. Do you want to go to the? OK, so in the works. 01:00:30
New Albany Township pays for the EMS in their in their contract territory again. 01:00:37
Talks with the board leadership lean towards. 01:00:43
You know. 01:00:47
Where we might go, Where they might go with. 01:00:48
With that, but again, to Denise's point. 01:00:51
This is a unique thing for New Albany Township. The city did decide to back out of that. So they need to they're, they're very 01:00:56
open to understanding what that looks like for them and what opportunities they have to offset that cost their territory. 01:01:03
The current contractor New Omni does say that they are responsible for firing EMS. We'll see that the next slide I'll explain that 01:01:12
the interlocal agreement with the county and Highlander district this is what we need. We're going to need something a local 01:01:20
agreement so that Highlander can provide EMS service's. 01:01:27
Basically outside of their Township, the way I understand it, obviously minus the City of New Albany, I mean I'm sorry, the the 01:01:35
Township of New Albany unless that is in some agreement then we don't have to exclude them. 01:01:41
The purchase of 1/3 ambulance that would be arriving in January of 2025. 01:01:48
We do need to look at this doesn't necessarily have to be in place, but we do need to look at spilling upgrades. May need a little 01:01:54
bit of funding there. The last time I looked at that, there's somewhere around $30,000 to get a mapping system and modules turned 01:02:00
on so that the. 01:02:06
Fire department and the and the Sheriff's Department have at the dispatch would have a CAD system that would. 01:02:13
Be operable for the needs providing an EMS service. Highlander Fire District is finalizing their AOL certification. It will be 01:02:18
done on or before June 1st. 01:02:23
Next slide, I do want to clarify, can we go back to the previous slide? So there was some talk about how. 01:02:28
The IT was miscommunicated about the ALS. They had to wait to get some equipment before they could I. 01:02:36
Before they could send. 01:02:45
The application for the ALS, they got that equipment. 01:02:47
And they immediately applied for the ALS certification, but they had to wait for that piece of equipment to get there before they 01:02:51
could do that. I think that was just some miscommunication that. 01:02:57
Got a little mixed up, it wasn't intended. 01:03:04
To be any kind of. 01:03:08
Slide work not transparent at all. It was simply. 01:03:12
Just waiting for the timing of everything to fall in place. But the application is there and they are from what I understand and 01:03:17
Brandon might be able to talk to this more. And we have some people in that audience, they. I spoke to Jason Smith at the DHS 01:03:24
around lunchtime today and he said the application is still not complete. 01:03:31
And it. 01:03:39
Cannot be complete until. 01:03:41
People are hired. 01:03:43
He did tell me that. 01:03:46
Highlander is actively hiring, which I found strange since they don't have a funding source. 01:03:47
So I think it's a. 01:03:53
Chicken and egg type deal. 01:03:57
Could they get? 01:04:00
Possibly, umm. 01:04:02
Can they without funding from the county? I don't see how that works because. 01:04:03
Even after they hire. 01:04:10
I was told that everything would be inspected. 01:04:12
There's still a lot of there's still a lot of steps left in the process. 01:04:16
So I'm sorry Brad. Could it could back up this. I hadn't I missed one of your points. The purchase of the third new ambulance. 01:04:21
Is that on order now or is that coming through the Highlander Fire District? My understanding is that that is on order. 01:04:31
And should be arriving in January of 25. 01:04:38
That's my understanding. 01:04:41
I'm getting some nods, yes. 01:04:45
Rather some board members. 01:04:47
OK. I think we're OK. I think we're ready to move on. Won't harp on this just under the recitals down. It says that the district 01:04:52
which up here says the district would be new. Amy Township Fire Protection district understands the test story. Duty of providing 01:04:57
Fire Protection and emergency medical services for residents and businesses within their Township. Not going to harp on that just 01:05:02
I just want to understand everybody understand that. 01:05:07
The New Albany Township board, it's in their current contract. They are well aware of. 01:05:13
Providing both of those services within their territory and they're open and willing to continue that, whatever that looks like 01:05:19
for them in the future. 01:05:23
I have a question right real quick. 01:05:29
Sorry. 01:05:32
Who pays for that now? 01:05:34
We pay for that in our new New Chapel or New Albany Township pays their own so. 01:05:36
Pays for which one? 01:05:41
Mutual aid with New Chapel this. 01:05:44
This contract is paid by New Albany Township as far as. 01:05:48
Fire Protection and it says in their contract that they. 01:05:54
It's for fire and EMS. 01:05:57
I'm not sure I exactly know what you're what you're saying, because it sounds to me like what you're getting at is. 01:05:59
But go ahead and put your Where are you getting at? 01:06:06
Before I assume. 01:06:08
So New Omni Township pays for their own. 01:06:12
Fire and EMS. 01:06:15
That's not included in our. 01:06:19
EMS. 01:06:22
So what's in the EMS contract that the commissioners have is for New Albany Township? 01:06:24
There the New Albany Township Fire Board contract says that they are understanding that they have a statutory duty to provide both 01:06:29
services. But that box is either one or two things are happening. That box is either checked by the commissioners and they're and 01:06:35
they're not paying for that. 01:06:40
Or new Chapel's been double dipping. I don't know which one it is. 01:06:46
Like the the New Albany I I spoke with him today, they paid $1.8 million a year. 01:06:54
For that contract that we just say that again $1.8 million a year for that contract that we just discussed. 01:07:03
Or write out 1.8. 01:07:10
All right. Moving on the the. 01:07:14
Slide of. 01:07:18
Future things to note, 4th Ambulance is needed. 01:07:20
To be ordered. 01:07:23
That is to to be able to to. 01:07:26
Provide for ambulances, for brand new ambulances and not relying on some of the older equipment. 01:07:29
Work with Georgetown Fire District Operating EMS in their district. There has been some talks with the. 01:07:37
Union reps there in Georgetown that they're interested in in being a part of that conversation and what that looks like. So we 01:07:44
still need to understand what that is and then things to note as a merger with. 01:07:49
Georgetown and highlighted Fire district sometime down the line. 01:07:55
Those things have been talked about. 01:08:00
Which part? 01:08:04
OK, news to me. 01:08:10
So I think that's I think that's it. 01:08:15
So I guess what we're saying here is that. 01:08:29
For the top of the hill we have a three-year plan with no tax increase. 01:08:33
And no additional other than the 800,000 that's going to that I suggest we take out of the CARES Act money which was given to us 01:08:39
by. 01:08:44
I think that was the federal government, or was it the state? 01:08:50
Which one? The CARES Act money. I believe it was federal. I was given to us by the federal government for the health and welfare 01:08:53
of. 01:08:58
Our community during COVID and we have held on to that now. We did kind of earmark that for the health department. There still 01:09:04
will be some money left there, but if we take out 800,000 out of there, it's a big chunk of it. 01:09:12
So we do have that hole. 01:09:20
That will be there. 01:09:24
That I think that option is is is a viable option. A hybrid hybrid option I think is a very valuable solution. 01:09:29
I just like to address a couple things. 01:09:42
You just addressed it. 01:09:44
We and I want to commend the Commissioners that they were frugal with the carriage money, very frugal. 01:09:47
And they was leftover money from Cares. 01:09:54
That we put in general fund and we had the understanding it was going to be for the health department because we know in two to 01:09:57
three years they don't have a home. 01:10:01
And because part of the hospital sale, they had free rent for ten years, which we're coming getting close to that end. 01:10:07
And so if we take, we've already spent 500,000. 01:10:15
To give Lafayette Township 2 ambulances on January 123. 01:10:19
Now we'll spend another $800,000 for Lafayette, Greenville Township. Is that spending cares money for the whole county? I have a 01:10:24
question and just. 01:10:30
Because two to three years out, we'll be here trying to figure out a funding source for the health department because they've got 01:10:35
it a housing issue. They don't have a home in two or three years. 01:10:41
And I thought, I know it was my intent when we talked about that was to earmark that for the County Health Department. 01:10:46
And now we'll want to rate it again and. 01:10:55
Make that fund lower. So we'll be right back here when the health department has an emergency, like we're having an emergency with 01:10:59
mediums to try to find funding for the health department. And I just have a problem with that. 01:11:04
And another thing. Well, everybody knows me. I hate the term. The city, the county, the county, the city. 01:11:10
Because we've got this, we've had this battle going on for decades. 01:11:17
And we know a lot of the reasons behind it. But now we want to split the county up. We can't even call the county a whole county, 01:11:21
because with EMS we're splitting the county up. Now we've got the county, the city, the city, the county, and the county and the 01:11:25
county. 01:11:29
And I'm just. 01:11:34
It just bothers me, so that's that's all I've got to say. 01:11:36
Does it not even have to put a tax increase in place? If need be, OK? 01:11:39
OK. 01:11:46
So just a couple things I. 01:11:48
New Albany Township doesn't want to contract with Highlander. 01:11:54
Is that I think you should ask them. 01:11:59
In your presentation, it was, I guess assumed that they were going to go with the mayor pro. 01:12:03
There's no no. 01:12:08
What that was, they need to contract with someone to provide service and they're willing to to. I think Denise said it perfectly 01:12:10
earlier that a couple of board members are signaling that they will be very open to what that looks like. 01:12:17
And is highly an option, maybe. Is a mere pro an option? Sure. 01:12:26
Not sure. I mean, I'm not sure what that looks like. I think Highlanders gonna have enough. 01:12:30
On the plate right now it. 01:12:35
Could come. 01:12:38
I think that's a possibility. 01:12:39
But I I think it's worth a sit down with the board to figure out what they're willing to to work with us on and what they can pay 01:12:42
out of their current levies that they. 01:12:49
That they've obviously, I shouldn't say, obviously they've been. 01:12:58
Contractually. 01:13:04
Paying for something. 01:13:06
OK. I will say Connie that there is some confusion I think with. 01:13:09
The way the contract is written. 01:13:14
What, what and what the commissioners are doing there? There is some confusion there and I really don't know the answer to that. 01:13:16
I really don't, but there needs to be some conversation had so that that can be figured out. Yeah, I think a lot of those, the way 01:13:22
it contracts are so vague, it's well the way it was explained to me today is that that contract was put in and I want to say 2016. 01:13:29
2016 and nobody. 01:13:38
Is that was there on two in 2016 is still around so it's. 01:13:42
Yes, there's a lot of. 01:13:48
Confusion. OK. So then just another statement you had said I guess that you and Brad. 01:13:50
Had met and ran these numbers with Jerry. 01:13:58
I'm assuming the chief. 01:14:01
I didn't meet with Jeremy. 01:14:03
You had a conversation conversation with him on the phone about the numbers, so I can make sure that they were correct. 01:14:05
And then I'm just going to throw this one out there. 01:14:13
MO Used with Harrison County, Ameriprough, Tri Township and Baptist Health. 01:14:16
Is what your proposal said. 01:14:23
Baptist Health is only doing transports. 01:14:25
From their own hospital. 01:14:28
The way that I understood it. 01:14:30
It's not my proposal, by the way. It is my presentation. The proposal was. 01:14:36
From Highlander. 01:14:40
Just to clarify. 01:14:43
OK. And that just would lead me to another question again. We have yet to see the Chief of Highlander to present anything, 01:14:44
numbers, ideas or anything. He's not been here, not at any of the commissioners meetings nor this one, so. 01:14:52
That he's Mia. 01:15:00
Which is a concern I. 01:15:03
You mentioned that. 01:15:07
They didn't get their certified chairs. 01:15:08
For this year. 01:15:12
Because of the merger, yes. Because of the merger. Because the merger was rushed through. So basically House Bill 1121 is them 01:15:14
correcting their own mistake so that they can get the money back. Can I address that? 01:15:20
Can I address that? Go ahead. 01:15:27
Two things I think that the the chief is is. 01:15:30
Tasked with the day-to-day operation, if you've got. 01:15:34
Some questions. There's board members here that. 01:15:37
Plan that Highlander put forward. 01:15:40
Was endorsed by the board who was tasked with the operations. The chief is just the data operations, but if you've got questions, 01:15:44
obviously reach out to them to get the concerns. 01:15:49
Answered on the. 01:15:55
Statue statute. 01:15:57
It's an antiquated law. With the way that the DLGF calculates new units of government, I understand it's really a penalty. It 01:15:59
wasn't a mistake. 01:16:03
Made by Highlander, or any year of government that merges when they merge together. 01:16:07
The only way the state can operate or recognize them is by a new unit of government, even if they were existing separately when 01:16:14
they come together. 01:16:18
They only can be recognized as a new unit. 01:16:22
So whatever they were receiving. 01:16:26
Separately, when they come together, they couldn't. They don't receive. 01:16:28
The first year this new law. 01:16:31
Rectifies that issue. So it's not an it's It is a penalty against Highlander in any unit of government across the state of Indiana 01:16:35
that wants to merge, but it was not handling Highlanders. 01:16:39
Problem or mistake? 01:16:44
No, but 1121 should have came before the merger. Then it wouldn't have been an issue. 01:16:47
And then the other thing that I wrote down, that's a concern. 01:16:54
Is. 01:16:58
And Danny touched on it. 01:17:00
Again, I'll say it. 01:17:04
Everybody knows government moves slow. It just does. 01:17:06
You have so many moving parts and you have to have a meeting here and there and with this group and that group. 01:17:09
I am not confident. I'm not confident. 01:17:15
That they will have their ALS before 6. 01:17:20
Because you have inspections, that takes time. People have to come down from. 01:17:23
Homeland Security be at Indianapolis or be it 9th District, I'm not sure where Jason is. 01:17:29
Stationed. 01:17:36
What if it doesn't happen on 6/1? What if they don't have their ALS transport on 6/1? 01:17:38
Then what? 01:17:44
Woman answer that, Yeah. 01:17:45
They did what they've been doing. 01:17:48
For 22 years, they still transport and treat the patient at a BLS level. OK, let's address that. 01:17:50
I've been working on getting 2023 transport numbers, but you have to jump your hoops to get that. 01:17:58
But the prior year, in 22, they made six. 01:18:05
Transporters 6. 01:18:08
That's it. 01:18:11
Connie, they have a We had a contract with New Chapel. If they could not, they could not transport. They would have been violating 01:18:14
a contract that we have with Newtown. They wouldn't have violated the contract. They would have been doing a service to the 01:18:21
person, whoever it was that was injured if they were in it. A sad people like they said they I heard. 01:18:29
I shouldn't say, OK, maybe it's not a violation of the contract, but we had a service and we had a contract with an EMS service to 01:18:36
provide. 01:18:41
Transport. 01:18:49
And that's why they would let them transport unless it was an emergency. 01:18:51
An absolute They had to get the person there immediately, and the and there and the and. The new Chapel was not anywhere close to 01:18:56
being another point Connie, to that, is it It doesn't matter if. 01:19:03
Highlander was ALS certified or BLS certified if they're not the primary. 01:19:11
Provider, they don't. They're not in the transport business, but they can and I'm so glad that they do because they are a backup 01:19:17
and they've been the backup to to our EMS system, whatever that private provider has been, they are a backup to it. Once you know, 01:19:24
if they step up and they get the dedicated staffing, then they are able to do more transports. OK, I'll give you that. However, 01:19:31
when they did have the ability to transport, they pick and choose who they are going to transport and not transport. 01:19:38
That's an issue and and I'll bring up the elephant in the room or whatever whoever wants to. 01:19:46
That. 01:19:53
If you have a department that does not play well with others. 01:19:56
That is not going to help this. 01:20:01
And obviously Highlander does not play well with others. 01:20:04
It was stated in the joint meeting last week. 01:20:09
Some of the departments. 01:20:14
Aren't very appreciative of this toe stepping or the, you know, beating on the chest. 01:20:16
That's not what it's about, and I don't care if you have a bigger unit or if you have a letter truck that is 2 years newer. 01:20:22
If you are not in it. 01:20:31
For the people. 01:20:34
That's where the issue lies. 01:20:36
And there are people who are in it for the people. Now you're saying they're not in it for the people. That is not what I'm 01:20:39
saying. But you have to be a team player. 01:20:43
That is not what I said. 01:20:49
No, I didn't say they were playing ambulance. I said they only transported 6 times in a year. 01:20:52
Again, 2023, I don't know. OK, I've got a question. I'm going to move on. 01:20:57
This kind of got glossed over. Everybody's fine with the Army Township paying for ambulance service. It's in their contract. They 01:21:03
should be doing it. 01:21:07
Why is that? Not in everyone's now as of January 1st, that's that's allowed. The fire levy is allowed for you in this payment. 01:21:11
Why are not? Why are all of them not doing it? 01:21:18
We're OK, but you only Township. 01:21:22
Is a stepchild. All I've been hearing today is the hill, the hill, the hill. 01:21:25
They can do what they want. We don't care if they use them. Air Pro, we don't care who they contract with. That is not true 01:21:29
because we I talked with them twice today and we tied very nice conversations and they want to work with us to figure out what 01:21:35
they can support and what they might need from us. 01:21:41
Misinterpreting this. 01:21:48
Through their fire levy. 01:21:52
And Highlander, who just came before the commissioners to Max their out? There's out. 01:21:55
Has got their hand down. 01:22:00
The only Township does not have their hand out to pay for ambulance service. 01:22:02
Do they? 01:22:05
They do not. So why are why are we not treating every department in this county the same? 01:22:06
Answer that one. I think Nawapeni was here to match their levies. They did, and they're going to pay for ambulance service 01:22:12
apparently. So I'm not saying that you made that up. 01:22:16
James, right here on your screen, it says that we are going to work with them. 01:22:21
So you're going to give Naomi Township money just like you're going to do Highlander for their possibly, if they can't cover it 01:22:27
with their lemon. 01:22:30
Danny, how can you tell me what I am and I'm not going to do? 01:22:34
All right. Is there any more discussion on anything tonight? 01:22:43
I would just like to say that that's where it's headed is the fire districts. 01:22:45
If if this is one of them is already there. 01:22:50
Which one normally townships already there? 01:22:54
That contract will be null and void probably. 01:22:57
By the time we get into a new contract, that's with New Chapel. 01:23:01
So I don't know what the new contract is going to say. If we truly are going to get to a fire based EMS service, that's where this 01:23:06
is in my opinion that's where this is headed is that the fire districts take care of this. It's got to be funded. 01:23:12
It's it has to be funded there. I don't want to understate the fact that EMS has to be funded. 01:23:19
And so that's that's where we're going, I don't think that. 01:23:27
Anybody is trying to pick and choose on, you know? 01:23:30
Either leave somebody in or out of this discussion of any kind of Township. 01:23:33
That's where this. 01:23:39
In my opinion, is heading. 01:23:40
Because I believe that. 01:23:43
Once you get to that, that point of having a fire district take care of. 01:23:46
At least paying for EMS in their territory. 01:23:51
You take the commissioners out of a needed contract and you take the Council out of the supplemental business and that takes the 01:23:55
politics out of EMS. 01:23:59
So we are certain that it's going to be fire based EMS in the future, is that what you're saying? 01:24:07
It seems like everybody's leaning that way. I think the timing is what people are hung up on. Some people think it could be done 01:24:13
sooner than later, some people think it has to be later considered. But it looks like most all comments lean towards a fire based 01:24:18
EMS service sometime down the line. And I don't agree with that because the conversations that I've had with people are they would 01:24:23
rather see a county wide EMS. 01:24:28
Than a fire race, yes. 01:24:34
What? What part do you not agree with I guess. 01:24:36
That it's going to be fire based EMS. It may not be fire based EMS. 01:24:39
It may be county wide EMS ran by the county as an EMS department, yes. 01:24:44
Have you looked at any of that as far as how that works and the cost of that, yes. 01:24:52
Yeah, that is, that is the most expensive option. Not a true statement, but OK, prove me wrong please. 01:24:57
I It'll take longer than a week to do so, but yes, but there's a lot of people who are more interested in county wide than fire 01:25:03
based so. 01:25:07
That's my fear is that we are on A1 track line in all these discussions that three years from now we're going to have fire based 01:25:14
EMS and that's not a given. 01:25:18
You know we're going to. 01:25:24
We dish out money. Who's gonna keep the Highlander? 01:25:26
EMS under the radar. 01:25:30
The battery board going to. 01:25:34
Take a look at all their runs and their times in there. Everything. So I mean. 01:25:36
I don't know that we are truly going to be at a fire base, EMS we may be. 01:25:42
Like Scott County in three years, so. 01:25:48
That's my fear is sitting here driving it just one way because. 01:25:51
I'm not a commissioner. I can't make that decision. 01:25:55
I had some comments I still want to make on this. I think Dale Bagshaw believes. I'm going to ask the question, are we splitting 01:26:02
up on the contract for the county and? 01:26:06
I mean, I think in the scenario we're faced with, I think temporarily. 01:26:11
We probably do need to. 01:26:17
I I think that the service we're going to get from. 01:26:19
The hound or fire district, I think the response times are going to be better. I. 01:26:22
Also, no one's mentioned anything about this other than Al. 01:26:27
Knable mentioned this in one of their meetings previously. 01:26:31
With EMS board, what are the rates they're going to charge? And I've got a copy of the mayor pro rates. 01:26:34
And the Highlander Fire District rates. 01:26:41
And America, Pearl is. 01:26:43
Basically double so. 01:26:46
And I did happen to check with Michelle briefly. I can't confirm this 100%, but looking at the rates of what the county insurance 01:26:48
reimburses. 01:26:53
It would be covered under the Hounder Fire District. It would only cover half of the mayor pro. So that means we're leaving a 01:26:58
great deal of individuals probably going to have to pick up this additional tab for the same service. 01:27:04
That doesn't mean that's why I choose one or other, because I still support what our EMS Advisory Board did. 01:27:12
However, I'm not on board with everything the same way. 01:27:20
On the funding. 01:27:23
I don't think we should be dipping into our Cares Act money just to do something short term like that. I think we've got some 01:27:26
commitments that. 01:27:29
For buildings with the health department that we need to stay committed to. 01:27:34
I don't. 01:27:38
Why the county is not picking this cost up. I'm not saying no Albany Township has to pick this EMS up. I'm. I'm making the 01:27:40
assumption the county is going to pick up this America Pro contract for now until we find out something different. 01:27:47
But I am not in support. 01:27:54
Of us pulling funding from the Hollander Fire District to fund this thing the next three years. This is Money. 01:27:57
That's paid out of our district. Matter of fact, when this. 01:28:05
Was merged. 01:28:08
Lafayette Township picked up a higher fee when we did the merging, so we've already got taxed more. Now we're going to take funds 01:28:10
out of here and we're saying in 2027 we're going to increase that levy. Again, I'm not in favor of doing that. I think the county 01:28:16
needs to pick this tab up. We need to come up with the funding we need to make budget cuts, or if nobody's willing to do it, then 01:28:22
somebody's going to have to own up to making a tax increase, which I don't support in any way. 01:28:28
These are things that we got to look at. We can't. 01:28:35
I'm not for kicking this thing down the road. We need to resolve this thing. 01:28:38
And these we need to look at other options. I don't like the short term stuff and I don't like putting it all on. 01:28:42
Lafayette and Greenville or even going to provide services for Georgetown. It makes no sense to me. I think the whole county just 01:28:49
picked these costs up. 01:28:53
Any other comments tonight? Oh, I know it's getting late. One more for me. 01:29:03
I think everybody agrees that. 01:29:09
We're heading toward either EMS, I mean fire based EMS or standalone US and. 01:29:13
Depends on who you talk to. That's which way they want to. 01:29:20
But I really feel like we're probably. 01:29:24
Two to four years away from that, implementing that and we have a proposed one from us that the commissioners have looked into and 01:29:28
they short term it's going to provide EMS coverage for the entire county. 01:29:33
So I just think it. 01:29:40
It's private. It's. 01:29:42
We we need to do our due diligence and. 01:29:44
Support the Commissioners and as they work with the. 01:29:48
Mayor pro to. 01:29:52
To negotiate this contract, maybe there's some things that can negotiate now that they they're the preferred contractor and we 01:29:54
should work with them they. 01:29:58
I think they've indicated some. 01:30:02
That there's possibly funds available in their budget that could help get through this process, but. 01:30:04
And maybe if we could get it down to from a three-year to a two year to get through this process of actually getting this. 01:30:10
This either fire based EMS or. 01:30:17
Standalone EMS and get it right the first time instead of this piece. Meal it all together and we go, oops. Well, that didn't 01:30:22
work. Let's try this. 01:30:25
So that I personally, I think that's where we're at. We need to. 01:30:30
Work with the Commissioners. 01:30:34
Fund this contract that they're going to negotiate and go from there. 01:30:37
Take it upon themselves to look into. 01:30:47
Either getting part of the legacy spend right or. 01:30:50
Look into. 01:30:56
Getting part of the principal. 01:30:59
Are we there? 01:31:01
I looked at the statute again. I'm pretty confident you don't need that two year or. 01:31:03
One year, OK, two votes. So if we take less than 10% out? 01:31:11
We can just have. 01:31:16
A majority vote of the two bodies, five of seven for the Council, majority of the commissioners. 01:31:18
Tony, you look like you're. 01:31:24
Thank you. We've heard a lot of. 01:31:31
Good ideas and suggestions tonight and I commend this discussion because I think it has benefited. 01:31:35
Us greatly and I believe that we all have the best interest. 01:31:44
Of the citizens. 01:31:48
Of this county in mind and want to make. 01:31:50
The right decision? 01:31:55
I like the. 01:32:00
Fire base proposal. 01:32:02
Even as we discussed the America Pro proposal tonight. 01:32:05
It still came up a little, a little short. I like the fire based proposal because it is fully funded without a tax increase. 01:32:09
And we have a way to pay for it. 01:32:21
If it's fire based the next two years. 01:32:24
You know, last year we increased taxes twice. 01:32:28
And and if you do recall we. 01:32:32
We kind of put a third increase of stormwater on hold. 01:32:36
Because it was, it was too much, but I think this proposal. 01:32:40
Allows us to do what we need to do. 01:32:45
And without moving money from our coffers. 01:32:48
For future projects. 01:32:54
And you know and. 01:32:56
I've sat meeting after meeting and I've heard a lot of why this fire based proposal could not be done, I've heard. 01:32:58
A lot of what couldn't happen. 01:33:10
But I don't know if due diligence was given a. 01:33:12
To what could happen? 01:33:17
And I just. 01:33:18
Want to say that I think it's a good proposal. 01:33:21
And. 01:33:25
I believe. 01:33:26
In the Highlander. 01:33:28
Fire district. 01:33:30
I believe in their abilities. 01:33:32
To get the job done. 01:33:35
Anybody else? 01:33:42
I'll make a couple comments, I guess where this is the final comment before we wrap up, OK. 01:33:45
Jim, I agree with you that I think it's unfair to put the tax increase on the highlighter fire district some three years down the 01:33:54
line. 01:33:58
Forward to fund EMS for the county outside of their territory. I think in the presentation it said for the district only and 01:34:03
that's that was the nuances that there has to be some discussion. 01:34:10
Within the three-year time period so that that doesn't happen because it would be very unfair for highlighters to put the bill 01:34:17
for. 01:34:21
The territory outside of their own. So I do agree with you on that this, this proposal gets them, that gets us time. 01:34:25
For for that and there needs to be some discussion with Georgetown and New Albany Township of course you know willing to sit on 01:34:34
the if if there is a committee that that's negotiating with America Pro. I think we do need to look at some hybrid system between 01:34:41
Highlander on the hill and Ameripro if it's Ameripro in the city of New Albany or Highland for all I I don't know what that looks 01:34:48
like with the necessary net that needs to be conversations had there. 01:34:55
Just three quick points, Highlander, the fire based EMS option is not a startup model. 01:35:04
I think some people might be getting confused that. 01:35:11
Highlander is some startup, and they haven't been doing this for very long, but Highlanders been doing it for 22 years. 01:35:15
The Mississippi Advisory Board. 01:35:23
Ask the Highlander Fire District what they can do to provide EMS service and and they came forward with a plan. 01:35:25
To do that so. 01:35:37
It wasn't backdoor deals. They were asked to put this proposal as planned forward. 01:35:39
I know that there's a lot of questions that need to be asked and answers and need to be provided. 01:35:47
Truth doesn't mind being questioned. 01:35:52
Options don't mind being put out there. 01:35:57
To talk about. 01:36:02
I just know that I choose to side with industry professionals. 01:36:04
That have over 2 centuries. 01:36:09
Of experience. 01:36:13
That say that they. 01:36:17
Believe in the Firebase model, I believe as Tony said. 01:36:18
What the fire department say they can do. 01:36:22
And they can do this when I believe in what they say. 01:36:24
That she was not a. 01:36:29
To go with a couple of politicians that think that they know better, I choose to side with the. 01:36:31
With the industry professionals. 01:36:37
I guess I would just say one more thing and that is if there are negotiations that are going to happen. 01:36:42
I would I would like for. 01:36:48
One or two of our members of the Council to be involved in those negotiations. 01:36:52
I don't know if that's. 01:36:59
Something we can ask for, but I would. 01:37:01
I would. I would like. I would like to request that. 01:37:04
I also think a hybrid. 01:37:10
Model is is a good model to to get us started in the county and. 01:37:12
I think it's very well thought out. 01:37:18
And I believe we can. It can be pulled. 01:37:21
It's it's time to make a move in that direction. 01:37:26
I got one more comment. I move to adjourn. 01:37:31
Second motion in a second. All in favor, aye? 01:37:33
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Hi, how are you? Pretty good yourself. 00:00:01
Did you send her? Good evening. I'm Diana Mayfield. I live in Highlander village in Galena. Now I have a question. We're here to 00:00:08
only discuss Ameriprotin funding. 00:00:14
What are exactly what are we discussing funding? 00:00:21
The main purpose of this meeting is to discuss funding for. 00:00:25
The RFP. 00:00:30
That the commissioners wish to proceed with, And that was America, Yes. OK. I just wanted to make sure that it wasn't going to get 00:00:33
off track with other departments and other RFP's. We'll do the best we can. 00:00:39
Skip order, Danny. Go ahead. Point of order. Yes, I I believe we had a e-mail from. 00:00:48
Mr. Langdon, that said. 00:00:57
That the agenda was open for discussion. 00:00:59
For all options of. 00:01:03
EMS. 00:01:08
Financing options. 00:01:09
Can we find that e-mail? I don't, absolutely. I don't believe we've gotten to the acceptance of the agenda. So let's proceed with 00:01:12
public comment. 00:01:15
I want to let everybody know that. 00:01:20
I am for a fire based. 00:01:23
EMS. 00:01:26
Eventually. 00:01:27
Not yet. 00:01:28
They're not. We're not ready for that yet. Maybe another year. 00:01:30
But there's a lot of work to be done to get it ready. 00:01:33
And. 00:01:37
You know, it's I feel like everybody's trying to rush the decision because there is a deadline. 00:01:40
There are things you can do at the end of the deadline to make things work. 00:01:47
All right, the paperwork that Highlander sent in didn't cover the entire county. 00:01:51
Mirror Pearl covers in Qatar County. I've just listened to Sean. We need to look at that seriously and figure out what's going on 00:01:58
money wise with that. Yeah, 30 seconds. OK. All right. And. 00:02:05
Ambulances need to be in all districts, not just one base. 00:02:14
They they need to be everywhere and I think remember at one of the meetings I attended a few weeks ago. 00:02:18
That the comment was made. How are we going to come up with the money on this and this lady here, Denise, comment. Oh, well, we've 00:02:27
got unique ways we can always come up with money. I was at the meeting, your budget meeting, and you couldn't come up with the 00:02:33
money to repair a building or hire a man. So that's two minutes. Thank you. Yeah, that's about two minutes. But I just want you to 00:02:38
know, don't rush it. 00:02:44
Take your time, Do it right so it lasts. 00:02:50
Mr. Dale Man, Mr. Chairman, Yes, Gloria, are we live streaming? 00:02:54
OK, somebody just texted, said. 00:02:59
OK, let's keep customer talking. 00:03:02
Deal, man. Georgetown. I just want to say what I've been sent all along. 00:03:06
I was very happy with what we. 00:03:10
We have, right? 00:03:14
And I feel. 00:03:15
They were very mistreated. New Capital was very mistreated. 00:03:17
Everybody knows what kind of hardship they were going through. 00:03:21
To try to come up with a financial plan. It was cheaper. 00:03:24
This is what you call it for, but they didn't come up with financial. 00:03:28
But I'm sure they tried. They might have it now. I think they were treated very much unfairly and I have nothing to do with new 00:03:31
chapter. 00:03:34
But what I see that happens in my. 00:03:37
Is it your all job to have the money And you should? 00:03:39
Choose the cheapest option. 00:03:42
And the best option for us taxpayers, and that's on yours. That's on your table. It's not mine. 00:03:44
But again, I'm very happy with. 00:03:49
System that we have now. 00:03:52
And I wish you would reconsider and give new capital another chance to come back in. 00:03:53
Isaac Isaac Williams. 00:04:00
Good evening, council. My name is Major Isaac Williams. I'm with the Georgetown Township Fire Protection District, also the vice 00:04:07
president of the Georgetown Professional Firefighters Union Local 5393. 00:04:12
Speak up just a little bit. It is the position of the Georgetown Township Fire Department and the Georgetown Professional 00:04:18
Firefighters Union Local 5393 to support the decision made by the commissioners. 00:04:23
On March 27th, we stand willing and ready to assist the county. 00:04:29
Going forward with this decision. 00:04:34
Thank you. 00:04:37
Thank you. 00:04:38
Gary Kleeman. 00:04:40
Thank you for giving me this chance to speak. 00:04:49
It obviously will be great. 00:04:52
I just want to. 00:04:55
A couple words. 00:04:58
One is, and I guess you're just working on the funding part, Commissioners are working. 00:04:59
Of the service. 00:05:05
We would hope so. 00:05:06
I'm sorry, I can't either. 00:05:09
OK. So I'll just kind of address the funding part I guess then instead of the level of care. 00:05:13
Obviously we've been getting what we've been paying for in the past where we've paid nothing, we basically. 00:05:20
That type of service where we pay little, we got that also. 00:05:27
So I'd just like to encourage you, you know, if it's a million point five, $1.5 million. 00:05:31
You divide that by the 40,000 citizens in the county is 3750. 00:05:38
A year. I paid $160 a year for garbage disposal, so I think a 7 year old girl choking on a hot dog at the grade school. 00:05:43
Is worth the 3750 a year. 00:05:55
You know, I I've heard him talk about. 00:06:00
Where are we going to get the money? 00:06:03
And then I I read about. 00:06:05
New parks being built. 00:06:07
New county offices being built. 00:06:09
ETC. I really think that. 00:06:12
The average citizen out there, he's got a 7 year old daughter in grade school. 00:06:15
Eating hot dogs? 00:06:19
That they'd be willing to pay 3750 a year for her to to have a paramedic show up to be able to plug that out because of the fancy 00:06:20
AT or E&T's not to be able to do that. 00:06:26
Thank you. 00:06:32
Doctor Commissioner, Mr. Alcanable. 00:06:35
All right, Alec, Enable Floyd County. I really want to come to you tonight, kind of as a local business owner. 00:06:44
I'm a partner in business that has an annual budget that's on par with the county's. 00:06:52
We have 13 locations, which I think is on par with the county. We have 100 and some odd 50, some odd employees depending on who 00:06:57
showed up today, which is kind of on par with the county. 00:07:01
And I just want to give an alternate kind of. 00:07:06
Vision or the other side of the coin to this statement that if you privatize this, all you get at the end of the year is a receipt 00:07:10
and you have nothing to show for it. 00:07:14
I liken that to leasing a house and saying, well, you didn't get anything for your lease. I mean, you had a roof over your head. 00:07:20
You had protection from the elements. 00:07:23
You had utilities. 00:07:27
It is true. If you privatize a service at the end of that year, you don't necessarily have equity. 00:07:30
But really you're not going to have equity if you have fire based EMS either. I know people talk about having fire trucks and 00:07:35
ambulances, but really they're only assets if you liquidate them otherwise. 00:07:41
They are very expensive pieces of equipment. 00:07:46
That require ongoing maintenance and you're going to have a lot of HR challenges as well. 00:07:51
You're going to have to recruit and retain talent. You're going to have health care benefits to discuss either with individuals or 00:07:55
with unions each year. You're going to have salary negotiations. You're going to have liabilities through your insurance companies 00:08:01
as well. The bottom line is sometimes it does make sense to lease or outsource. 00:08:07
And then the other thing is I heard that part of this was going to be funded by one and a half million dollars. 00:08:14
In ambulance services and fees as someone who fights with a. 00:08:19
Details have really been brought to the conversation yet, so thank you for your time. Thank you. 00:08:55
All right, let's move on to the. 00:09:01
Agenda item. 00:09:04
The the agenda itself. 00:09:05
The agenda states discussion on EMS funding. 00:09:08
Do I have a motion to accept the agenda as advertised? 00:09:13
I'll make a motion to. 00:09:17
Have the agenda. 00:09:21
Inclusive of options of EMS funding. 00:09:22
That's my motion. 00:09:28
2nd. 00:09:30
OK, we have a motion in a second to have the discussion. 00:09:33
On EMS funding. 00:09:36
A close up of all options. 00:09:39
Tune into my. 00:09:42
Any discussion on that? 00:09:50
We only have one option, right? 00:09:53
Commissioners. 00:09:56
Voted to contract with the Mayor pro. 00:09:59
They said they would contract with America upon. 00:10:02
Financial advice? 00:10:07
I think we need to look at the funding. 00:10:13
All the options that are on the table. 00:10:16
I don't know why that hurts. I mean that this needs to be a transparent discussion. 00:10:21
About how we're going to fund this and if we're going to limit the discussion, we're not being transparent. 00:10:26
So my options are my my motion stands. 00:10:33
All options. 00:10:38
I'm in support of considering other options as well. I think we got to look at anything that's on the table or really what's in 00:10:41
the best interest for. 00:10:45
Our taxpayers. 00:10:50
Well, let me say before we vote, that I. 00:10:55
If we're going to talk. 00:11:01
Options, then we. 00:11:03
Have to. 00:11:05
The options have to be. 00:11:07
County wide. 00:11:08
We don't even know if American would be willing. 00:11:11
To take a partial part of the county, that's true. They said they're going to negotiate with America based on our funding. 00:11:14
Options. 00:11:24
That's what I heard. 00:11:26
At the meeting. 00:11:28
But nobody else met the RFP. 00:11:29
Guidelines put out by. 00:11:32
The EMS board. 00:11:35
The Advisory Board Why do we want to limit this discussion? Connie, why do you not want to be transparent with the taxpayers? 00:11:37
And discuss all options and all funding possibilities. 00:11:45
I'm all about being transparent. 00:11:49
However, obviously there was backdoor conversations with Highlander. 00:11:52
To lead us to this position, anybody has, you're going to call high, you're going to have discussions, You're going to leave out 00:11:57
Franklin Township and New Albany Township. You're not even having discussions yet. You don't know what we're going to discuss. 00:12:04
You don't know. 00:12:12
So what Highlander put out was for. 00:12:15
Their portion, So I mean are you going to talk? 00:12:18
Highlander into. 00:12:22
Servicing our counties or our townships. 00:12:24
We've never even seen from the chief. 00:12:28
This is my motion and I stand by. 00:12:32
All options, OK? The motion is for all inclusive talks on funding. 00:12:34
I want to reiterate, this is not. 00:12:42
A discussion on. 00:12:45
A rehash of what the commissioners have gone through over the last. 00:12:48
Four meetings of. 00:12:52
Which service you prefer if? 00:12:55
If you want to talk about funding for. 00:12:57
Your own special part of the county, then talk about it. We do not need a discussion. Everybody knows the insurance and outs by 00:13:00
now. 00:13:04
Of who offers what and who thinks they have the best solution? 00:13:08
Mr. President, if I may. 00:13:14
I'm AI was under the impression and the understanding that. 00:13:17
This workshop today was called to consider all options. 00:13:23
This workshop was set. 00:13:26
Actually before the commissioners accepted the RFP's on last week. 00:13:29
That's the reason why I thought that we were here. It was just to discuss all options. 00:13:37
Of funding. This was set before they accepted. 00:13:42
The RFP's. 00:13:46
That I mean the meeting was set, but we we now have direction from the Commissioners and the direction that they would like to go. 00:13:48
It's it's our duty. 00:13:56
As the. 00:13:58
To be the foolish sharing the financial arm of the county. 00:13:59
That's that's what our discussion is. 00:14:05
Which includes all options. 00:14:12
There's a motion on the table. I just want to make a comment. I'm the one that asked for the meeting. 00:14:15
My intent was always to get to all options. My intent for calling this meeting was to have an open, honest discussion. 00:14:21
With the full council, because time when the only times that we've talked in public about this has been at joint meetings with the 00:14:27
commissioners and those have been. 00:14:32
Very limited formats given maybe 5 or 1015 minutes per topic and so we haven't had the chance to hear all options. 00:14:37
And so again, Tony. 00:14:47
I agree with Tony's you know, point of. 00:14:49
That was the reason why I called, asked for a special workshop, was to discuss funding of all options that would help give the 00:14:52
commissioners some guidance as to where we'd be going. But since that call of that meeting, they had a special meeting after we 00:14:59
called this one and made a decision, before we even had a conversation to talk about all the financing. 00:15:06
So just one minute. We've already said that, but I want to be clear about it. 00:15:14
Again, that's the correct order. They recommend something. We recommend funding. We don't recommend funding before we know what 00:15:19
we're going to be funding. 00:15:22
Let's take a vote all in favor of the amended. 00:15:27
Agenda. Say aye. 00:15:30
All opposed. 00:15:33
That passes. 00:15:35
Who would like to lead us off? 00:15:39
I'd like for you to and tell us how you're going to pay for the marriage. I would like to get this presentation out of the way. 00:15:42
The presentation that you didn't want. 00:15:50
We're going to get it again. 00:15:54
What exactly is the presentation? 00:16:02
We've all, we've all seen it. We had a chance this entire weekend to go through it and ask questions about it. 00:16:08
And now we're going to go through it. 00:16:14
I'd like to have discussion. 00:16:16
Because I think it's going to get. 00:16:18
Off track, if we lead with this, I think we need to lead with what the commissioners proposed, which is how we're going to fund 00:16:20
America Pro. We can obviously talk about this too, but I think we need to have discussion on America. 00:16:27
Actually. 00:16:41
It is funding. The commissioners are the executive body of the county. 00:16:46
They make contracts all the time. It's our job to figure out how to fund them. 00:16:51
And it's this particular situation has been out there for a while. 00:16:56
As was stated earlier by a couple folks, and I concur that we've got a bargain for the last several years. 00:17:02
Some of us in the room can't remember when it was free because they could build and accommodate everything about 10 years ago. 00:17:10
Yellow Ambulance came in, said we can't do it anymore because we can't build for certain things, so they added a stipend. 00:17:18
They left in a lurch. 00:17:24
I think then the contract with New Chapel to. 00:17:27
To do the services I will make a statement, just a statement that we we. 00:17:31
Paid for services for the last seven or eight years. 00:17:39
220 several years and went to 280. 00:17:42
We paid for service. 00:17:47
We got service, in my opinion now somewhat made debate whether it was good service, bad service or indifferent service, But we got 00:17:49
service. So we paid for a service, we got a service. 00:17:54
Now I know we have this big old distraction over here that's out there and honestly, I don't care anything about it, but the 00:18:00
commissioners decided. 00:18:03
That we would go with Ameripro. 00:18:07
And I think there's still there in 10. I can't speak for the commissioners, but it's their intent to. 00:18:10
Now the RFP is out there to negotiate. 00:18:16
With Mayor Pro, possibly a one year contract. I heard maybe a two year contract because I think everybody in this room recognizes 00:18:20
that. 00:18:23
Ultimately, maybe Firebase may be good or standalone unit may be better. 00:18:27
County you know county funded, county ran. But I just don't think we're ready for that right now and that's why we need to 00:18:33
consider the. 00:18:37
Commissioners, what they've decided. 00:18:41
To go forward with was with American Pro and actually this first year would and actually contract won't start till. 00:18:43
June 1, so we only had to fund. 00:18:51
Six or seven months of this year to worry about. 00:18:55
Discussed more more Discussed permanent financing but. 00:18:58
In my opinion, This is why we have a rainy day fund, because this is a rainy day and in my opinion, we should fund this at least 00:19:02
the end of this year through the rainy day fund as we start to keep this process going through a negotiation. 00:19:08
Of getting a EMS system in our county that everybody can be happy and pleased with, which I doubt that will ever happen, but we 00:19:15
can work toward that end. 00:19:19
That's my little ****. That's my little moment. 00:19:25
My position is at large, which is the whole county. However, I do live in Franklin Township. 00:19:37
I feel that Franklin Township gets left out a lot. 00:19:45
On multiple. 00:19:49
We have a Volunteer Fire that. 00:19:52
Protects us via fire. 00:19:54
Umm, after much complaining. 00:19:57
Georgetown did opt in for mutual aid with them. Thank goodness. Umm. 00:19:59
But as I said in the commissioners meeting, you know, I never know who I'm going to get somehow. 00:20:06
Somebody shows up. Um. 00:20:13
I have a few issues. 00:20:18
With the Highlander proposal. 00:20:22
I don't think it was transparent. I don't think it was forthcoming. 00:20:27
There were. 00:20:33
We still have yet to see from the chief. 00:20:35
We had. 00:20:38
The Vice President of the Union. 00:20:39
Talking to the Commissioners at their meetings regarding. 00:20:43
Their proposal? 00:20:46
And their proposal doesn't even cover the entire county. 00:20:49
That's a huge concern about. 00:20:53
You've got two opposite ends of the county that are going to be unprotected under that. 00:20:56
Proposals. 00:21:02
I don't believe that the commissioners have discussed with the mayor pro splitting the the county. 00:21:07
Maybe. Obviously, I think that's kind of where you guys want to go with. 00:21:13
Having them negotiate but. 00:21:17
The other problem I have is. 00:21:21
During the special meeting, it came to light. 00:21:26
That there were several misrepresentations. 00:21:31
Within the Highlander proposal. 00:21:33
I'm not confident that Highlander would be up and running before May or before June 1st. 00:21:40
I just don't know how that's going to happen. 00:21:46
Everybody knows how government works. 00:21:49
It's slow. 00:21:52
They just submitted. 00:21:53
Their paperwork to be ALS transport. 00:21:55
Although they said a week and a half earlier that they had already done. 00:21:59
So that's that's kind of worrisome to me and the fact that the chief doesn't come to represent his. 00:22:03
Operational. 00:22:11
System. That's another worry. Why would why would you not have? 00:22:14
The head of operations. 00:22:19
To propose to the Commissioners what they intend to do. 00:22:21
So I have a lot of concerns. 00:22:26
A lot of concerns regarding that. 00:22:30
I I was really disappointed that to see that they spent all this time having this EMS Advisory Board. 00:22:40
And then they made their suggestion to the county, and it was. 00:22:48
Declined I think with the representatives serving on that Commission are far more qualified than I am to make any of these 00:22:52
decisions and yet they were comfortable and suggested going with this and felt comfortable in getting this up and going in time 00:22:57
so. 00:23:03
I don't know why that's not off the board. I think it should be. I should be. I'm not sure how this plays in effect with Nominee 00:23:09
Township. 00:23:12
We just had heard the news that. 00:23:17
Hopefully that EMS coverage is including that. Whether it is or isn't, I still think we need to be looking at. 00:23:20
Hollander Fire District. 00:23:26
Except in that part of the proposal, if we need to look another option for the Township, even a hybrid, possibly. 00:23:29
That may be another consideration. 00:23:35
I don't think we can discard that, and I'm not in favor of. 00:23:38
The other proposal that Commissioners are behind right now. 00:23:43
I thought we were talking about how we were going to find a mirror problem. I haven't heard anything about that changed when the 00:23:49
agenda was altered. 00:23:53
If you have some more comments, go ahead. 00:23:57
OK, nobody. The only thing I've heard about. 00:23:59
Funding for a mayor Pro is using rainy day. 00:24:02
To get through this year, to to get through this year and then what? What do we have a long term solution? 00:24:06
Is it going to have to be a tax increase? Are you going to roll down? You're the one who said in an open meeting that you had 00:24:15
solutions for the future. 00:24:17
Only there's some unique situations. 00:24:22
That allow us to do the fire. 00:24:25
Ambulance up on the hill. 00:24:28
That we can talk about. 00:24:31
They do not work if we do. 00:24:33
If if we do private, they do not work and you'll you'll see why. 00:24:37
But we need to talk about fun. 00:24:43
Highlander. 00:24:48
We cover 2 townships. 00:24:50
At $800,000. 00:24:52
Which leaves. 00:24:54
4 townships uncovered so. 00:24:56
The percentage is. 00:24:59
Well over $900,000. 00:25:01
For the rest of the county. 00:25:03
But, but you're not looking at that, right, Danny? 00:25:05
They're gonna cover Georgetown, too. They are not. They are absolutely not. 00:25:09
OK, that was what was in their proposal. That was in their proposal. They can't just go into Georgetown's jurisdiction and say 00:25:13
we're going to cover you. 00:25:17
It's a con. 00:25:24
OK. I don't. I don't know. 00:25:27
I would love. Honestly, I I. 00:25:29
I thought that's what we were talking about up on the hill, the whole hill. 00:25:33
We have to get legal advice on that, on how that works. I mean I I would. 00:25:40
Want Georgetown to be a partner in this and come alongside to be a partner in IT, what we do. But I think what Jim said is exactly 00:25:46
what I think we need to be looking at and that is a hybrid solution. 00:25:53
And and maybe it it. 00:26:01
Maybe it is time for us to just go through the presentation and anybody else has anything else.