Emergency Services to finally get a home
Belinda Coulter of Taylor, Polson, & Company presented the audit results to the board. Photo by PJ Martin
By PJ Martin
Editor
The Herald-News
The Barren-Metcalfe Emergency Medical Services Board of Directors met in regular session on Wednesday, December 8th in the Barren County fiscal courtroom.
After a short closed session, it was unanimously approved to enter into an agreement to purchase the 5-acre (±) property located beside and behind Hardees on Hwy 68-80 just outside of Glasgow for the future construction of a home for the Barren-Metcalfe Ambulance Service.
The service is procuring the unsecured loan from Edmonton State Bank for $320,000 at 1.25% interest for 30 months for the purchase of the real estate.
Finances
Taylor, Polson, & Company representative Belinda Coulter presented the audit results stating, “No instances of noncompliance or other matters that are required to be reported under government.”
The financial reports were presented by Executive Treasurer Steve Powell for October and November for board approval.
Powell reported that for October, “Collections are up 18.4% over last year.” Then for November added, “Collections are still doing well at 19.3% over last year.”
He advised that three payrolls fell within November with the 3rd payroll falling on the last day of the month, so the federal and state taxes, other items will reflect in December’s numbers.
Operators Report
Assistant Director Garland Gillian reviewed the daily run logs in comparison to last year. In November, there were 910 total runs vs. 897 in 2020. Of those 910, 764 were in Barren, and 146 were in Metcalfe. The year-to-date run total stands at 9,638 compared to 9,041 in 2020.
He also noted an average of 30.3 runs per day and that the out-the-door times were remaining at 1 minute 26 seconds.
Executive Director Middleton noted that they are now transporting 81 percent of the patients from calls whereas previously it was 74 percent.
Old Business
Executive Director Middleton presented the proposed Board of Directors term change option from the last meeting. Currently, all member’s terms run consecutively for one (1) year and all expire in February. The proposed plan will stagger the term expirations preventing the board from having all new members at once.
The proposed amendment to the bylaws would stagger the members’ terms as follows:
- One (1) Barren County and one (1) Metcalfe County seat, historically occupied by the Judge/Executive, shall be a term of 1-year beginning 2022. Term to expire 2023 with subsequent appointments to a 4-year term.
- One (1) Barren County seat and one (1) TJ Samson Community Hospital seat shall be a term of two (2) years beginning 2022. Term to expire 2024 with subsequent appointments to a 4-year term.
- One (1) Barren County seat and one (1) TJ Samson Community Hospital seat shall be a term of three (3) years beginning 2022. Term to expire 2025 with subsequent appointments to a 4-year term.
After a lengthy discussion, it was unanimously agreed to hold the first reading of the amendment and approved to waive the 48 hours’ notice.
The motion to amend the Bylaws of the Ambulance Service Corporation, Inc. to stagger the board of Directors positions as listed was approved in its 1st reading. The second reading will be held at the next meeting on January 26, 2022.
Corporate Counsel Report
Board Attorney Brian Pack introduced his office’s new associate Nick Anderson who has been working on the Ambulance Services’ new open records policy. The policy complies with the Open Records Act contained in Chapter 61 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS).
The two-page policy includes the cost sheet to be posted at the headquarters and request forms to be filed by the customer/business. The policy was approved unanimously.
The next meeting is scheduled for January 26, 2022, at 4 p.m. at the Barren County fiscal courtroom.
