Newly re-elected members of the Mid-Mo Ambulance Board of Directors were sworn in March 13, at the regular monthly meeting. Sworn in for additional three-year terms were Kirby Baumert, District 3, and Brenda Lapp, District 6, who were unopposed for the April election.
The new officers are President Earl Reuter, Vice-president Cody Worthly, and Treasurer Becky Holloway. Brenda West was appointed board Secretary.
In new business, Administrator Lee Kempf presented the board with the bulk order bids for central supply for the next year. Zoll Medical’s bid of $7,092.68 for supplies for the Zoll equipment was accepted. For all other medical supplies, three companies submitted bids. They were: BoundTree - $15,819.46; Southeastern - $16,325.24; and QuadMed, Inc. - $14,193.40. The bid of BoundTree was accepted. Although QuadMed’s bid was lower, the company does not carry fluids and other essential supplies needed by the district.
Brenda West presented accounts which had been written off, with the administrator’s approval, in the amount of $761.46.
The board discussed a letter sent to Board President Reuter about extra mileage charged for a family member’s ambulance transport. Kempf informed the board that Medicare will only pay mileage to the closest facility. The extra mileage charge was for the Advanced Life Support care the patient required. The board took no action to reduce the bill.
The leasing company for the new building requires a performance bond from Excel Metal Roofing Inc. The contractor awarded the job for the new base in California. Kempf reported the cost of this was not included in the bid solicitation information, and said it should have been. After discussion, a motion for the district to pay the $11,250 performance bond was accepted.
The board also accepted a bid from Custom Coating and Accessories, Linn, in the amount of $937.50 for additional work on the epoxy floors at the Tipton base. The floor is too rough, and needs another coat to make cleaning easier.
Also discussed was the shortage of paramedics and possible options to remedy the problem.
In other business, the March treasurer’s report balance on hand was $460,466.37. Run statistics for March were: Tipton - 48 calls with 35 transports; California - 80 calls, 53 transports; and Versailles - 192 calls, 125 transports. District wide, there were 320 calls with 213 transports for a transport rate of 74.3 percent.
The next regular meeting is set for May 11 at the Tipton district office.