By Dewey Terrill
JC Post
There may be some light at the end of the tunnel in the disputed EMS Services fees discussion. City and County staff have been making progress.
At issue is the amount to be paid by the County. According to information reported at the Tuesday night city commission meeting, the two sides are $38,000 apart on 2023 payments. The County has filed for a temporary injunction trying to keep the City from suspending services during the litigation and asking for declaratory relief asking a judge to interpret the contract for the EMS Services. The City has denied, and has also filed a counter claim alleging a breach of contract for insufficient payment.
A judge in Lyon County has been asked to handle the case since all of the judges in the Eighth Judicial District have recused themselves from the case. A hearing has not yet been scheduled on the injunction request.
Under the contract that has been in effect 1967 the County would pay two-thirds of the EMS costs and the City one-third. City Manager Allen Dinkel has argued that residents in Junction City are having to pay more for EMS Services than rural county residents because 71 to 72% of the county's property taxes come from inside the city.
Mayor Pat Landes has suggested a county-wide EMS assessment so costs are spread evenly across the board and Junction City residents would not have to pay twice any more. City Attorney Britain Stites noted that option has been looked at.
No final action has occurred.