County mulls tax district

Boundary Volunteer Ambulance Association faces financial trouble because of increased costs and new state and federal regulations.

The association is asking Boundary County Commissioners to approve formation of a taxing district to keep it viable.

However, Commissioners have tabled a vote on forming the taxing district to give people more time to comment on the issue.

Boundary Volunteer Ambulance Association is asking Boundary County Commissioners to approve formation of a taxing district to keep it viable.

The written comment deadline has been extended until 5 p.m. Monday, March 12.

The topic will be on the commission agenda at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 20.

Comments can be mailed to Boundary County Board of Commissioners, P.O. Box 419, Bonners Ferry, Idaho 83805, or e-mail to  commisionsers@boundarycountyid.org, or drop them off at the commissioners office inside Boundary County courthouse.

 The topic will be on the commission agenda at its Tuesday, March 20 meeting which begins at 6 p.m.

Since Idaho Code requires each that each county provide ambulance service, the decision to form an ambulance district can be made soley by   a vote of county commissioners.

Commissioners aren’t obligated to keep using the services provided so by Boundary Volunteer Ambulance. They can choose a to contract with another service provider.

Boundary Volunteer Ambulance Chief Ken Baker said the service has five older ambulances, two rescue units, 25 volunteer EMTs and eight drivers.          They respond on average to 800 calls per year.

 Boundary Volunteer Ambulance has provided services in the county since 1965.