Mid-Mo Ambulance board discusses changes at new base

Bricks are being laid on the new Mid-Mo Ambulance base in California by Gerry Lage, of Lage and Hartman, California. The good weather is allowing the task to go forward at a good rate.
Bricks are being laid on the new Mid-Mo Ambulance base in California by Gerry Lage, of Lage and Hartman, California. The good weather is allowing the task to go forward at a good rate.

Several changes or additions for the California Mid-Mo Ambulance base, which is under construction,were discussed by the Board of Directors at the regular monthly session on Oct. 14, at the district office in Tipton.
The discussion involved bricks, a sewer line and natural gas access. The brick discussion was concerned with whether there enough matching bricks to complete the entire job. The bricklayers will leave the east end until the rest of the building has been completed, just in case a different lot of bricks on hand does not match the others.
It was decided that, since a large sewer main goes under the property, a manhole will be put at the end of the drive for sewer access.
A natural gas line will have to be extended 500 feet to provide service. The board approved the $5,000 Ameren Missouri will require to put that line in place. Board President Earl Rueter suggested Kempf discuss the possibility of partial reimbursement of the fee over the years, as had been done in a previous project. The other option was propane, but the regulations involving tank placement and distance from a building make that a problem.
The 2016-17 fiscal year budget was amended. The actual ending balance was entered to increase the projected funds from $3,417,000 to $3,453,764.06. The reserve funds also increased by $36,764.06. Brenda West, treasurer, reported that a large part of the additional money was due to funds, which were expected after Oct. 1, arriving early.
The board approved a bid from Blake Clifton at American Response Vehicles for two used Stryker power cots for $5,000 each, and two battery systems at $1,000 each. Also approved was $9,000 for the purchase of a used power cot from Stryker, with 50 percent of the warranty remaining. This will give the district five power cots (stretchers), one for each of the primary ambulances.
The holiday pay approved at the last meeting was amended following review of the actual costs. The holiday pay will an additional $6 per hour.
A closed session was held for employee evaluations. After the board re-entered open session, Tasha Knapheide will receive a 60 cent hourly increase. Brenda West will receive a $1.09 hourly increase and an additional 2 percent contribution towards her retirement. Administrator Lee Kempf will receive a $2,000 increase to his yearly salary and an additional 2 percent contribution towards his retirement.
In other business, the September treasurer's report balance on hand was $596,764.22. Run statistics for September were: Tipton - 32 calls with 18 transports; California - 66 calls, 42 transports; Versailles - 165 calls, 111 transports; and Barnett - 12 calls, 9 transports. District wide, there were 275 calls with 180 transports for a transport rate on patient contact calls of 73.5 percent. Run statistics for the 2015-16 fiscal year were: Tipton - 578 calls with 384 transports; California - 907 calls, 590 transports; Versailles - 1,900 calls, 1,296 transports; and Barnett - 187 calls, 130 transports. District wide, there were 3,572 calls with 2,400 transports for a transport rate on patient contact calls of 76.4 percent.
The next regular meeting is set for Nov. 9 at the Tipton district office.