By Dewey Terrill
JC Post
Junction City Commissioner Jeff Underhill has released a letter submitted to city and county commissioners concerning the funding disagreement over county payment for their share of EMS service. The City Commission had demanded payment of $802, 556 owed for EMS service by Dec. 5th or they would consider stopping that service to the rural part of the county. The County later paid $447,654. 64.
Britain Stites, City Attorney, wrote that on Wednesday the County Commission requested "the City rescind the aspect of its November 21th, motion for a December 5th deadline. That motion encompassed the possibility of suspension of ambulance or emergency services to the remainder of the County outside of the Junction City municipal boundaries.
The city commission would be unable to meet prior to its December 5th 7 p.m. meeting due to commissioner and / or key staff availability.
Based upon conversation with the City Manager and state law, the city promised not to take any action which would suspend services on or before December 31st.
They will forge forward with negotiations concerning payments and accounting for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023 going to Fiscal Year 2024, as well as drafting a new interlocal agreement covering the provision of emergency medical services between both entities which will comply with the Interlocal Cooperation Act.
The City will deposit the County's check received with their November 27th resolution in reliance upon continued negotiations, with assurance of the continued negotiations from the County, and only upon approval of the City Commission.
The City does not plan to suspend rural EMS services on December 5th. Beyond that negotiations will continue.