Junction City Commissioners received a comprehensive report from staff Tuesday night on the financial numbers associated with the EMS service. County officials have expressed some concern about being overcharged and requested a look at the city's financial numbers but the City provided details last night on the cost of EMS service. City staff will make a similar presentation on those numbers to the county governing body in the near future.
At the conclusion of the report to the City, Mayor Pat Landes stated. "They will not find a better deal than this." The commission opted not to have a second joint meeting with the county on this matter but the city staff will, again, make the presentation.
The county currently pays two-thirds of the EMS cost and the City one-third but it was noted that regardless of who pays the costs will remain the same. It was also observed that the County needs to pay their bill by the end of the year for services rendered.
City Manager Allen Dinkel believes a new flat fee contract should be negotiated for the County to pay for 2025. That type of contract would need an escalator clause to cover cost increases. 2024 budgets are already in place.
Dinkel added that the numbers outlined for the city commission are honest and up to date. City Finance Director Lindsay Miller and staff are preparing a comprehensive guide on the financial numbers that will then be released to the public.
As she did recently with the county commission, Grandview Plaza City Clerk Janet Young scolded the city for lack of public notice about this issue. She noted that losing EMS service to the county would be unacceptable. Young said Grandview Plaza needed to have a say and understanding of what is going on. "I will not let my citizens go without care."
City Commissioners will get another update on Dec. 19th.