Boundary Ambulance 'not eligible' for override levy

BONNERS FERRY — Boundary Ambulance Service is dropping plans for an override levy after it was advised by the Idaho State Tax Commission that it did not qualify.

On July 19, the BSA hosted two town halls to inform the community on a lack of funding and what it takes to maintain the level of service. The town halls saw very low turnout.

The district had planned to request an increase of the levy from the rate of 0.04 to 0.06, due to an increase of calls and to support the staff of a second ambulance. At this time, only three employees are on at any time. Two employees are for the calls and the third is for transports between hospitals; however, if they are all out on calls, no one is available to respond to an incoming call.

“The problem is when this crew goes out and 911 is called, we don’t have a team to go out,” Jeff Lindsey, BSA chief and president said at the townhall.

He added the district can’t respond to two calls at once, something that has been happening and so they need to staff another ambulance.

On July 24, Lindsey told the Herald that the ambulance district was informed by the commission that it does not qualify for an override levy.

“[…] And so the service will not request an override levy election from the commissioners,” he said.

Boundary Ambulance Service’s next scheduled meeting with the Boundary County commissioners is Aug. 21. At that time, Lindsey said he will speak with the commissioners to see what the next steps are.

Boundary Ambulance Service is a contract ambulance provider for Boundary County, rather than a county owned service.