Ill. Voters to Get Say in Ambulance Service
Jan. 02--CLINTON -- Voters in March likely will provide the answer with how DeWitt County will pay for its ambulance service once Dr. John Warner Hospital ends its service at the end of 2012.
The spring referendum would determine how the replacement would be paid for beginning in January 2013.
The hospital board voted in October to disband its service, which CEO Earl Sheehy said costs about $500,000 per year to operate.
Several companies have expressed interest in purchasing the service. On Monday, Sheehy said Advanced Medical Transport of Peoria has indicated it will not pursue a buyout.
"They said their reasons were the same reasons we have for letting the service go," Sheehy said. "High payroll costs and excessive service coverage were two of the main reasons."
Voters will be asked to approve a levy that would add up to an additional 25 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. The Farmer City Community Fire Protection District, LeRoy Community Fire Protection District and Randolph Township Fire Protection District, which already levy a tax for ambulance service, would be exempt from the vote.
DeWitt County Board member Terry Ferguson said one year doesn't leave the county much time to finalize all plans relating to a new service.
The city owns the hospital and would likely transition the ambulances to any new service, but the hospital plans other uses for the ambulance bays.
"I am sure they would be willing to work with whoever comes in, but this is just one of those things that is going to take time to figure out," he said.
"There are a lot of details to be worked out."
The county board discussed forming a committee to determine the most efficient and effective way to provide ambulance service should the referendum pass, but members decided to wait for the outcome of the referendum.
Copyright 2012 - The Pantagraph, Bloomington, Ill.
