BVA and Commissioners settle on contract

by Laura Roady Staff Writer
| October 4, 2013 1:30 PM

After nine months of negotiations and on the last day of the current contract (Sept. 30), Boundary County Commissioners and Boundary Volunteer Ambulance (BVA) agreed on a multi-year contract.

The new contract pays BVA more than the current contract of $80,000. Boundary County Commissioners agreed to pay BVA the full 0.04 percent levy for the 2013-2014 fiscal year (begins on Oct. 1, 2013) less the $80,000 promissory note plus interest to the Solid Waste Fund.

For the 2014-2015 fiscal year, the contract obligates Boundary County to pay BVA $230,000 and in 2015-2016, $225,000.

The new contract would necessitate that the County levy the Ambulance Service District Levy each year. Commissioner Walt Kirby stated earlier in September that with the full levy this year, the commissioners were hoping to make it last three years so they wouldn’t have to levy the next two years.

Commissioners did solicit requests for proposals for an ambulance service in the county. For a number of reasons, it was in the best interest of the county to not choose them said Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton.

Instead, the Commissioners continued negotiations with BVA which started in January, with one offer paying BVA $175,000 the second year. However, BVA did not accept that offer. The final contract was agreed upon on Sept. 30, 2013 to begin Oct. 1, 2013.

“I learned a lot about the ethics of certain people,” said Commissioner Pinkerton. “A difficult time for all of us.”

“The two other commissioners took the high road with negotiations,” said Commissioner Dan Dinning. “They didn’t resort to dividing the community.”

The Commissioners unanimously agreed to sign the contract that will be in effect until Sept. 30, 2016.

Even though the funds paid to BVA are taxpayer monies, BVA has full control over the monies and is not required to furnish how they are used explained Commissioner Dinning.

With the increased cost from $8,000 to $230,000 to BVA, it is unlikely benefactors of the services will see cost reductions said Commissioner Pinkerton.

“They can’t hold the county at ransom to build their empire,” said Commissioner Pinkerton earlier this month during negotiations.

In the contract, BVA agrees to provide stand-by services to Boundary County and Boundary County School District events at no charge. Other stand-by requests are at the discretion of BVA for charges.

Boundary County Commissioners are required by Idaho Code to provide ambulance service in the county. BVA is an independent contractor to the county and BVA employees are not employees of the County.