No property tax levied by Mid-Mo Ambulance

By DAVID A. WILSON

Democrat Staff

The Mid-Mo Ambulance District Board of Directors declined to levy any property tax, approving a 2013 tax levy of zero (0.00) per each $100 of assessed valuation at its regular monthly meeting Wednesday, Aug. 21.

At the time of the approval of the purchase of a 165 feet by 202 feet lot just south of the California city limits on July 10, Administrator Lee Kempf said a lease-purchase deal for building a new California base on the property might not be available. If not, a tax levy option was considered possible to pay for construction. He said at the time that a lease-purchase project would be about $200,000. If it was not available, it would have to be done with prevailing wage costs and could easily cost $350,000.

Since there appears to be several parties interested in lease-purchase agreements, board member Bob Sheridan said there is no reason to levy any property tax. The vote was unanimous.

As a part of the board's task of choosing the district's heath insurance, Ronnie Staggs, Wallstreet Inc., Jefferson City, presented bids from several companies. Included was the renewal rate for the current plan. After discussion, the current Anthem plan was selected for renewal with an increase of 9.9 percent. All comparable plans had premium increases of 35 to 45 percent

The board approved keeping the current plan.

Staggs also explained some of the rules with the "Affordable Care Act" and how the district may be affected. According to Kempf, the district may need to write a new policy concerning part time employees.

The Board adopted a required Code of Ethics ordinance effective for two years.

Patient reporting is currently being done through the state's internet Bridge system. A Field Bridge version was purchased to try out a few months ago. The program could be customized to the district's needs and the crew could complete reports in the ambulance. Otherwise the reporting has to wait for more certain internet connection at the base. When the state finishes its upgrades, Kempf wants to purchase the program for all ambulances. He plans to have a price quote at the next meeting.

The treasurer's report for April was presented with a balance of funds on hand of $549,032.64.

Run statistics for July were presented: Tipton - 43 calls with 27 transports; California - 73 calls, 43 transports; Versailles - 153 calls, 110 transports; and Barnett - 49 calls, 34 transports. Total calls districtwide were 318 with 214 transports, for a transport rate on patient contact calls of 74.3 percent.

The next regular meeting is Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m., at the Tipton district office.