Mid-Mo sets tax levy hearing date

At the regular monthly meeting of the Mid-Mo Ambulance District board of directors, the tax levy rate hearing was set for Wednesday, Aug. 20, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Tipton district office. The next regular meeting is set for Sep. 10. at 7 p.m. at the Tipton office.

Bids for employee's health insurance was presented by Ronnie Staggs of Wallstreet Ins., Jefferson City. According to Staggs, the district's current plan through Anthem is no longer available due to the Affordable Care Act. The Anthem plans, two Coventry plans and three United HealthCare (UHC)options were presented. After discussion of the recommendation of Staggs, the board selected a UHC option which was the closest to the current plan. The deductible is $500 less than the current $1,500 deductible, but the individual out-of-pocket will be $4,000 compared to the current $1,500 amount. The premium will be 34 less than the current plan.

Staggs also said that tobacco use can be used along with age to raise individual premiums. UHC is not currently adding an increase for tobacco use, but if renewed next year, it may be. Administrator Lee Kempf said his opinion is that if the premium does go up because of tobacco use, it should be the employees responsibility.

The ambulance company ARV reported that they were unable to sell the ambulance being replaced by a new one to the district with which a deal had been made for $60,000. The board approved selling the old ambulance to ARV, as offered, for $50,000. This will keep the cost down on the new ambulance which will arrive soon.

Marty Ramsdell, Russ Lumpkin and an ARV representative will fly to North Carolina to pick up the new ambulance. It will be driven back and delivered to Columbia for final detailing. It should be in service in September.

The board approved payment for bills and payroll. In other business, the July treasurer's report of the balance on hand was $646,548.84.

Run statistics were: Tipton - 48 calls with 32 transports; California - 72 calls, 49 transports; Versailles - 155 calls, 114 transports; and Barnett - 42 calls, 28 transports. District wide, there were 317 calls with 223 transports for a transport rate on patient contact calls of 77.7 percent.

The board went into closed session early to discuss a personnel issue. The board returned from closed session with the decision to terminate a paramedic, with the district to pay any additional costs if incurred in future investigations.