Mid-Mo Ambulance approves budget for coming year

Democrat photo / David A. Wilson
From left, Mid-Mo Ambulance officials Administrator Lee Kempf and Board President Earl Reuters at the property purchased Thursday for construction of a new ambulance base for California. The location immediately south of the California City limits immediately east of Highway 87, reflects the need to relocate the base in an area with less traffic congestion. The new base will be designed to house the larger ambulances used by the district.
Democrat photo / David A. Wilson From left, Mid-Mo Ambulance officials Administrator Lee Kempf and Board President Earl Reuters at the property purchased Thursday for construction of a new ambulance base for California. The location immediately south of the California City limits immediately east of Highway 87, reflects the need to relocate the base in an area with less traffic congestion. The new base will be designed to house the larger ambulances used by the district.

By DAVID A. WILSON

Democrat Staff

The Mid-Mo Ambulance District Board of Directors approved the budget for fiscal year 2013-14 at its regular monthly meeting Wednesday, Sept. 11.

Projected funds available were budgeted at $2,911,000, an increase from last year's $2,810,004.69. Projected expenses were budgeted at $2,884,500, an increase from the previous year's $2,674,000.

Noteworthy item increases were in California Base Payments, Payroll and Radio Equipment. The California Base Payment is budgeted at $100,000 this year for an annual payment on an expected three-year lease-purchase of a building for the new ambulance base. The previous year's budget included a $9,000 payment on the old base.

Payroll is budgeted at $1,650,000, up from the previous year's $1,400,000. The increase was explained by Administrator Lee Kempf to be due to operating the Barnet base for a full year. It was only in operation three months of the 2012-13 fiscal year. The Barnett base, Kempf said, has significantly shortened ambulance response time.

The Radio Equipment Fund for 2013-14 is $80,000, a significant increase over the 2012-13 $15,000. This is for upgrades.

Kempf informed the board that he would be getting requests for proposals for concrete work on the driveway apron at the Versailles base. The traffic is causing the drive to deteriorate. He proposes an extension of 20 feet to allow the ambulances space to turn around.

The board appointed Becky Holloway as a new board member to serve the remainder of the term of Bob Sheridan, who moved out of the district he represented. The board felt that since Holloway was already attending the board meetings, the appointment would be someone who "did not need to be brought up to speed." She will be sworn in at the next meeting.

The papers were to be signed for purchase of the property for the new California base on Thursday, following the meeting.

The treasurer's report for August was presented with a balance of funds on hand of $470,709.74.

Secretary Brenda West presented the board with $301.63 in accounts written off in the office and $6,007.78 in accounts deemed uncollectible. The board approved writing them off the accounts as presented.

Run stats for August were presented: Tipton - 45 calls with 34 transports; California - 59 calls, 36 transports; Versailles - 166 calls, 116 transports; and Barnett - 44 calls, 32 transports. Total calls districtwide were 314 with 218 transports, for a transport rate on patient contact calls of 75.2 percent.

The next meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m.