County to seek bids for ambulance service

BONNERS FERRY — After the initial contract renegotiations with the Boundary Volunteer Ambulance Board in mid-March, Boundary County Commissioners have decided to seek bids for the county’s ambulance service.

The BVA Board suggested during negotiations that the county go for other bids.

“It might be a good eye opener for you,” said Jim Paulus, ambulance board chair. “To see what other people pay.”

Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton said that seemed like a recommendation.

“We should absolutely do that,” said Commissioner Walt Kirby. “We should have something to go by.”

The bid would include requests for different levels of service: basic, intermediate and full ALS (advanced life support). Commissioners requested the same information from the BVA Board at negotiations and intended to contact them directly about the decision to seek bids.

“We owe it to the taxpayers to do it correctly,” said Kirby.

Seeking bids would not violate the current contract with BVA said Commissioner Dan Dinning.

The current contract with BVA expires on Sept. 30.