County considers contracted ambulance service over local

At the last regular board meeting of the Kimball County Commissioners two separate items were listed that could ultimately affect the Kimball County Ambulance crew members.

Items on the agenda for the April 5 meeting included "Discuss/approve financing terms for the new County ambulance", as well as "Discuss potential options regarding the operation of the Kimball County Ambulance."

Because of the listed items, many from the local ambulance crew, along with CEO Ken Hunter of the Kimball County Hospital, were present at the meeting.

During the discussion for the new ambulance, Kimball County Deputy Clerk, Josi Morgan, informed the board that the total cost would be $261,658 with a initial down payment of $61,658 when the ambulance is delivered.

Of the remaining $200,000, the board will have the option to make payments through the NACO Lease-Purchase Program.

When the time came for discussion regarding consideration of other options for an ambulance service locally, Commissioner Nolting addressed the board and public.

"That was an item that I requested to be put on the agenda. On March 29, I was invited to attend a meeting. Regional West is currently in joint operating agreements with Ogalalla, Chadron, Gordon, Oshkosh and other communities, with managing regional ambulances," he explained. "They would like to talk to Kimball County and see if that might be a possibility for us, and to that end, they asked to be included on the agenda for the April 19 at 10 o'clock, and at that time they would present to us what their thoughts are."

Nolting moved to include the discussion of a new ambulance service on the commissioners meeting agenda, and Daria Andersen-Faden seconded, and the motion carried.

The meeting was then adjourned but many of the ambulance crew members and supporters of the local service gathered outside of the courthouse and visited amongst each other about the possible future of the Kimball Ambulance Service.

Previous to last week's meeting, the CEO of the hospital shared his views on the issue of going to a different ambulance system.

Hunter stated that, particularly in rural areas, because of the cost of training of crew members, that having an ambulance for this area may be done more efficiently by going with another option, such as an area ambulance system.

"Regional West has put together a program and each program for each hospital has been different. It could be less expensive and I believe that it also makes grant funding more accessible, too. I think it's good for the commissioners to be looking ahead. The cost of the ambulance was pretty sobering," Hunter said. "One of the most important services we have are emergency medical services, and without that our town can not do much. We have a good ambulance system, but with government regulations and compliances, it's costing more and more. I think it's prudent for them (the commissioners) to look at that."

"I did not know they were looking for another option for ambulance service for Kimball County until I received an email from Commissioner Nolting on March 31, 2016," said Director of Kimball County Ambulance Carla Goranson. "I do not have an opinion at this time. I was not invited to the April 29 meeting that Commissioner Nolting spoke of. I have no details of what is being discussed. I was not aware that the commissioners were looking for other options for ambulance service for Kimball County."

The CEO of Regional West Medical Center and Randy Meininger, President of Valley Ambulance Service, which is owned by RWMC, are expected to attend the next Board of Commissioner's meeting.

Those on both sides of this issue, which will affect the entire county, are encouraging the public to attend the next commissioner's meeting on the April 19 to voice an opinion.