The Elmo City council held their monthly meeting on Dec. 7. Commissioner Keith Brady was in attendance to answer questions concerning the EMS agreement. Councilman Stoney Jensen said he was not happy with the EMS agreement the county has proposed. Councilman Jensen said, there has been nothing done with the agreement since September and there has been little opportunity for the cities to make comments or suggestions to the proposed agreements. If the cities have suggested changes few of them have appeared in the agreement.
Commissioner Brady said, cities were allowed to participate in the planning of the EMS agreement. There were meetings with the cities and EMS personnel.
Councilman Jensen wanted to know why the county was considering a separate agency for EMS. Commissioner Brady said we had to consider this agreement because of Obama Care (Affordable Care Act). It mandates if an employee works more than 120 hours in a month he/she is entitled to health benefits. We do hope Obama Care goes away and we might consider putting the EMS under the county again.
Councilman Jensen’s opinion is the county is trying use the EMS agreement as a way to get rid of the current ambulance supervisor. I do not like what the commissioners are doing. The Huntington City lawyer has advised the city not to sign the agreement until some changes are made. The present proposal states a quorum can consist of only three members to do business for the entire agency.
Brady said there is a lot of supposition concerning the agreement. The cities will have no financial responsibility and liability will not fall on the cities. The EMS department will not need extra money because it brings in enough money to cover all of the costs. The new agency can use money for training, licensing and ambulances. If there is a short fall of money it will go back to the county. The EMTs like the idea of garage leads. This agreement is just an outline. Green River, Emery and Cleveland have signed the agreement.
Councilman Jensen asked if Cleveland was promised an ambulance in their garage if they signed the agreement. Commissioner Brady said nothing was promised to them. I told them it was up for discussion as to where the ambulances would be placed.
Councilman Jensen said creating an new agency is a stupid idea. Emery County is the only county worried about the Obama Care mandate. We are open for ideas to improve EMS in the county. We have made suggestions about the EMS agreement and the next thing we read in the newspaper is the commission has passed the agreement without any public discussion or input. I don’t like what the commission is doing. There seems to be a lot of closed door meetings going on. I think there is potential to improve EMS. Elmo city is not willing to sign the agreement as it is right now.
Commissioner Brady said we hope to get this resolved. As far as the agreement changing, it has only changed once in six months. Castle Dale has made suggestions with the advice of their lawyer.
The animal control officer gave her report. She has received some complaints about dogs attacking chickens. There was another complaint about a dog getting into garbage cans. The ACO spoke to the owner of the dog. The owner reported they are repairing the fence where the dog escaped and this will not be an issue again. The ACO will be paid for her call out hours.
Mayor Casey Lofley reported he will resign as the Elmo Town mayor, effective Feb. 1. He feels the town will be better represented by someone who has the time and desire to serve as the mayor. Councilman Jensen and Councilman Seth Allred thanked Mayor Lofley for his service as mayor to Elmo.
Elmo City council refuses to sign EMS agreement
"Stoney Jensen."