'No disruption of services' anticipated if trustees, city cannot agree on fire/EMS contract
Lead Summary
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
Some Highland County township representatives questioned Hillsboro City Council members on where the pending contract for fire and EMS coverage stood, with council saying they will "continue to look at the issue," and that no disruption of services is anticipated, despite the fact that the contract expires in just under three weeks.
Council's finance committee met Monday, prior to the regular full session of council. Committee chairperson Pete Pence said the advertised agenda items included the appropriation ordinance, employee health insurance and other "employee related issues," including township contracts. However, the township issue was added to the agenda by mistake, he said.
Several township representatives were in attendance during the finance committee meeting.
Liberty Township Trustee Jake McLaughlin and fiscal officer Jolene Walker told the committee that they had some budget and paperwork issues that needed to be worked out, and that a resolution to the matter is needed.
"When will (the contract) be done?" McLaughlin asked council. "We've got a problem in our township on our budget."
Walker said, "I have to get our resources sent to the (county) auditor as soon as the year-end reconciliation is done, and then we have to approve the budget before - on or about - Jan. 7 for our regular meeting. I've got some timelines there."
Liberty is one of six townships - including Hamer, Jackson, Liberty, New Market, Paint and Washington townships - that are negotiating for a continuation of their contract for fire and EMS services to be provided by Hillsboro Fire and Rescue.
Pence apologized for the mistake on the agenda and told the township representatives that council "will discuss that issue and get with you sometime this week and let you know."
During council's regular meeting, Hillsboro Mayor Dick Zink and Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Ralph Holt asked council about the ongoing issues with the contract.
During the October council meeting, Holt said per city ordinance, if a contract agreement is not reached by Dec. 31, crews and vehicles will not be permitted outside the city limits.
"According to Ordinance 32.12, out-of-town calls, 'none of the firefighting equipment of the fire department shall leave the limits of the city, except when the fire department is acting under the authority of a contract existing between the city, and another subdivision, as provided by law,'" Holt said in October.
Zink said Monday, "What's the status on this life squad thing?"
Then, referencing the city's proposed performance audit, Zink said that he didn't want the city to have to pay someone to come in and inform them the city was not charging enough for EMS. Zink suggested the contracts be resolved before the city moves forward with obtaining a performance audit.
"You all had the legislation put in your mailboxes explaining that we're not supposed to take equipment out of the city without a contract. And we don't have a contract on anything," Zink said.
Council president Lee Koogler said that was an issue they will, "continue to look at and talk about this month, and one way or another there will have to be some resolution on proceeding into the next year."
Holt said, "According to the ordinance - and that's a fact - that should have already taken place."
Koogler said, "I am aware of the ordinance and I have reviewed it and it will be addressed."
Following the council meeting, Koogler told The Highland County Press that, "We will continue to look at the issue."
When asked if council anticipated having the matter resolved by Dec. 31, Koogler said that he has had discussions with members of council and the townships' legal representative Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins. He did not indicate an anticipated timeline of having the negotiations completed.
Koogler acknowledged that after Dec. 31 there is no contractual obligation to continue the services, but that decision would ultimately be council's.
He would not say if council would meet again before the new year, but that council "fully intends to provide services to next year. I don't anticipate a disruption in services."
Collins told The Highland County Press that discussions are continuing, and she also trusts that services will not be disrupted for township residents.
"I am confident that services will not be disrupted," Collins said. "It is my understanding from city council that services will not be disrupted and that we will continue to negotiate."
Zink and Holt's term in office will also end Dec. 31, and mayor-elect Drew Hastings will take office after the new year.
Negotiations and complications between the city and the townships began in May 2010 when Holt sent a letter - under the direction of council - to the township trustees initiating negotiation for 2011's emergency services contract with in Hamer, Jackson, Liberty, New Market, Paint, Penn and Washington townships. The city initially proposed an increases between 42 percent and 76.34 percent for the individual townships.
Paint Township ultimately joined the Highland County North Joint Fire and Ambulance District in Leesburg.
In November 2010, after six months of negotiations, council voted 5-2 to accept a contract with an 18-percent increase for fire services, with the condition EMS services be provided at no additional charge through 2011.
Four months later, Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Ralph Holt sent a letter to the township trustees of the affected counties on March 17 saying that due to the financial hardship the EMS services were causing to the city, the EMS services would be cancelled by June 30. The townships currently do not pay for EMS services, but they do pay for fire services.
In June it was announced that the city would continue to honor its contract an provide the services through Dec. 31, 2011, and that negotiations would continue for the 2012 contract.
In June, Hillsboro Auditor Gary Lewis had told council's finance committee that the current cost of services per person per year is $17.81. Lewis said that $9.06 would be needed to cover the costs of the equipment, which brings the total to $26.87, which he rounded up to $27 per township resident. It would bring in an additional $113,000 per year. That would be combined with the current "soft billing" that the city does on EMS runs. During negotiations, the city offered $40 per resident, and the townships countered with $22 per resident. A contract for 2012 has not been reached.
Some Highland County township representatives questioned Hillsboro City Council members on where the pending contract for fire and EMS coverage stood, with council saying they will "continue to look at the issue," and that no disruption of services is anticipated, despite the fact that the contract expires in just under three weeks.
Council's finance committee met Monday, prior to the regular full session of council. Committee chairperson Peter Pence said the advertised agenda items included the appropriation ordinance, employee health insurance and other "employee related issues," including township contracts. However, the township issue was added to the agenda by mistake, he said.
Several township representatives were in attendance during the finance committee meeting.
Liberty Township Trustee Jake McLaughlin and fiscal officer Jolene Walker told the committee that they had some budget and paperwork issues that needed to be worked out and that a resolution to the matter is needed.
"When will (the contract) be done?" McLaughlin asked council. "We've got a problem in our township on our budget."
Walker said, "I have to get our resources sent to the (county) auditor as soon as the year-end reconciliation is done, and then we have to approve the budget before - on or about - Jan. 7 for our regular meeting. I've got some timelines there."
Liberty is one of six townships - including Hamer, Jackson, Liberty, New Market, Paint and Washington townships - that are negotiating for a continuation of their contract for fire and EMS services to be provided by Hillsboro Fire and Rescue.
Pence apologized for the mistake on the agenda, and told the township representatives that council "will discuss that issue and get with you sometime this week and let you know."
During council's regular meeting, Hillsboro Mayor Dick Zink and Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Ralph Holt asked council about the ongoing issues with the contract.
During the October council meeting, Holt said per city ordinance, if a contract agreement is not reached by Dec. 31, crews and vehicles will not be permitted outside the city limits.
"According to Ordinance 32.12, out-of-town calls, 'none of the firefighting equipment of the fire department shall leave the limits of the city, except when the fire department is acting under the authority of a contract existing between the city, and another subdivision, as provided by law,'" Holt said in October.
Zink said Monday, "What's the status on this life squad thing?"
Then, referencing the city's proposed performance audit, Zink said that he didn't want the city to have to pay someone to come in and inform them the city was not charging enough for EMS. Zink suggested the contracts be resolved before the city moves forward with obtaining a performance audit.
"You all had the legislation put in your mailboxes explaining that we're not supposed to take equipment out of the city without a contract. And we don't have a contract on anything," Zink said.
Council president Lee Koogler said that was an issue they will "continue to look at and talk about this month, and one way or another there will have to be some resolution on proceeding into the next year."
Holt said, "According to the ordinance - and that's a fact - that should have already taken place."
Koogler said, "I am aware of the ordinance, and I have reviewed it and it will be addressed."
In his report to council, Zink said, "It has been stated that after the change in administration, it may be easier to deal with the contract."
Zink said that the starting negotiating figure offered over the summer was suggested to Holt by finance committee chairperson Pence. Zink said that it was, "not a number set by the administration. Remember, city council is required to approve any and all contracts regarding the amount charged for township fire contracts. After the change in administration, city council will still be the body that has the final say in the contract amount charged." Following the council meeting, Koogler told The Highland County Press that, "We will continue to look at the issue."
When asked if council anticipated having the matter resolved by Dec. 31, Koogler said that he has had discussions with members of council and the townships' legal representative Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins. He did not indicate an anticipated timeline of having the negotiations completed.
Koogler acknowledged that after Dec. 31 there is no contractual obligation to continue the services, but that decision would ultimately be council's.
He would not say if council would meet again before the new year, but that council "fully intends to provide services to next year. I don't anticipate a disruption in services."
Collins told The Highland County Press that discussions are continuing, and she also trusts that services will not be disrupted for township residents.
"I am confident that services will not be disrupted," Collins said. "It is my understanding from city council that services will not be disrupted and that we will continue to negotiate."
Zink and Holt's term in office will also end Dec. 31, and mayor-elect Drew Hastings will take office after the new year.
Negotiations and complications between the city and the townships began in May 2010 when Holt sent a letter - under the direction of council - to the township trustees initiating negotiation for 2011's emergency services contract with in Hamer, Jackson, Liberty, New Market, Paint, Penn and Washington townships. The city initially proposed an increases between 42 percent and 76.34 percent for the individual townships.
Penn Township ultimately joined the Highland County North Joint Fire and Ambulance District in Leesburg.
In November 2010, after six months of negotiations, council voted 5-2 to accept a contract with an 18-percent increase for fire services, with the condition EMS services be provided at no additional charge through 2011.
Four months later, Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Ralph Holt sent a letter to the township trustees of the affected counties on March 17 saying that due to the financial hardship the EMS services were causing to the city, the EMS services would be cancelled by June 30. The townships currently do not pay for EMS services, but they do pay for fire services.
In June, it was announced that the city would continue to honor its contract and provide the services through Dec. 31, 2011, and that negotiations would continue for the 2012 contract.
In June, Hillsboro Auditor Gary Lewis had told council's finance committee that the current cost of services per person per year is $17.81. Lewis said that $9.06 would be needed to cover the costs of the equipment, which brings the total to $26.87, which he rounded up to $27 per township resident. It would bring in an additional $113,000 per year. That would be combined with the current "soft billing" that the city does on EMS runs. During negotiations, the city offered $40 per resident, and the townships countered with $22 per resident. A contract for 2012 has not been reached.
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