HomeMy WebLinkAboutOverride - EMSPage 1 of 1
Will Berg
From: Dee Mahaffey [dmahaffey~adaweb.net]
Sent: Monday, December 13, 2004 2:47 PM
To: Alan Sheaty (E-maid; Bib Nary (E-main; Dave Bieter (E-main; Jerome Mapp (E-main; John Evans (E-main;
Maryanne Jordan (E-main; Nancy C. Merrill (E-main; Nathan Mitchell (E-main; Scott Nordstrom (E-main;
Ted EINs (E-main; kandy~4hr.com; Mayor Counal; Maryanne Jorclan; nmerrill(~cityofeagle.org;
shorton~cityofeagle.org; tosborn~atyofeagle.org; colleenr~cityofkuna.com; mayor~cityofkuna.com;
bergw~cityofineridian.org; deweert~exchange.meridiandty.org; sbconkNn~gardencityidaho.org;
telBs~garcienatyidaho.org; elaine~idahosmartgrowth.org; crountre~itd.state.id.us; jtlang~juno.com;
deweerdt~meridianaty.org; donnellc~meridiancity.org; gardnerp~me~idiancity.org;
birdronaldkeith~msn.com; W Eberle~msn.com; Isedlacek~gwest.net; cbell~staridaho.org;
nr~tchell~staridaho.org; evans48~velocitus.net; dave szplett~yahoo.com
Cc: DJohnson~atyofboise.org; rosind~cableone.net; dfriend~eaglefire.org; star-chief~cableone.net; Troy
Hagen; Teresa Baker; Melinda Nothem; Melinda ~ Summit
Subject: Letter of Commitment for Override -EMS
Hello all -The Commissioners have received several questions regarding the agreement to provide in-kind or
finnncinl contributions to conduct nn override election becnuse we currently have not budgeted for this action. If
you aren't able to help financially but may be able to donate time, volunteers, resources, or other in-kind
assistance, this would be sufficient to sign your intent on the existing document (Letter of Commitment for
Override -EMS).
It is important to note that in order for the commissioners to deviate from the recommendation of the Blue
Ribbon Task Force to dissolve the current taxing district, that they receive your signed commitment by no later
that 9:00 a.m. December 14, 2004 by fax (287-7009), a-mai I (bocclC ndaweb.net) or courier.
Thank you!
12/13/2004
Pale 1 of 1
Will B®rg
From: Bill Nary
Sent: Monday, December 13, 2004 10:19 AM
To: Tammy de Weerd; 'birdk~meridiandty.org'; 'rountrec~meridiancily.org ; 'wardles(c~Dmeridiancity.org';
'Christine Donnell'
Cc: INGII Berg
Subject: Request by Ada County for EMS Letter of Commitment
I have reviewed the proposed LOC from Ada Count regarding the EMS proposal. I would urge caution before agreeing to
the proposed letter. The a-mail indicates that approval must be gained prior to 9:00 am on the 14~'. Logistically that is
not possible for us since no public meeting will be held prior to that. The Mayor could communicate probable support prior
to the evening meeting of the 14~', but actual consent cannot be gained prior to that.
As for the document itself:
I would not recommend signing off on such an open ended document. In the best interest of the Gity it is asking too much
to agree to Condfions 1 and 3 to provkie financial support without any concept of cost. The document does not provide
`conceptual" approval prior to the commitment and therefore reads bke a potential "blank check."
Condition 1 also requires a comrr~tment to providing polling places and donating employee's tirr>e. There are aspects of
this type of election that may prohibit that type of `donation" and therefore it is unreasonable to agree to such a spedfic
condition.
Condition 2 is ok. Ok, 1 out of 4. The commitment is simply to support the County's efforts to allow for an override vote.
bedeve that is consistent with the opinion offered previously in your letter to the Commissioners.
Condition 3 has the language regarding cost share for an independent review of the EMS service and department. It
would seem that the taxes paid to the County would be what should pay for such a study. Why would City taxpayers pay
separately for a study to determine if their County services are adequate?
Condition 4 estabNshes a Study committee made up of 4 County or EMS representatives (1 Commissioner, 1 from EMS,
the 2 EMS Medical Directors), 1 rep from each Fire District (Meridian Rural, Star, Eagle, Kuna Rural, North Ada) for a
total of 5,1 eac~'- from the City Fire Departments (Boise and Meridian) for another 2, and 1 at large. This is a 12 member
committee that will cost money in overtime for the City's representative, if they come from the Fire Department, since they
will ~kely not be able to coordinate all of the Committee meeting to the days off for the respective firefighters. Lastly, it is
not clear to me why the City's representative has to be from the Fire Union or that the City's only representative comes
from the Fire Union. We certainly need to involve the Union on discussions that may change their hours or working
conditions, but they cannot have authority to bind the City on fiscal matters without the Counai's approval.
I hope this quick analysis is of some help to you. Please feel free to contact me directly if you want to discuss this matter
prior to tomorrow's meeting. I will ask Will to either add it to the agenda for pre-council or we can add it at the start of the
meeting.
Bill
12/13/2004
Will Ber
pry; Alan Shealy [ashealy~cityofboise.org]
$e~; Saturday, December 11, 2004 11:13 AM
To: kandy~4hr.com; dmahaffey(~adaweb.net; snordstrom~avcraft.com;
mmap~cableone.net; David Bieter, Mayor Council; Maryanne Jordan;
wnary(1~cityofboise.org; nmerrill~cityofeagle.or+g; shorton(~cityofeagle.org;
tosbom(~cityofeagle.ong; colleen~cityofiwna.com; mayor~cityofkuna.com;
bergwtt~cityofineridian.org; deweert~exchange.meridiancity.org;
sbconklin(~gardencityidaho.oig; teliis(l~gartiiencityidaho.org; elaine~idahosmartgrowth.org;
crouMn~itd.state.id.us; jtlang~juno.com; deweerdt~meridianaty.org;
donnellc~meridianclty.org; gardnerpt~meridiancity.org; birdronaldkeith(d3msn.com;
nmerri1104~msn.com; W Eberlet~msn.com; Is~lacek~gwest.net; cbell(~staridaho.org;
nmitchell~staridaho.org; evans4s~veloatus.net; dave szplett~yahoo.com
Cc: EMHAGETM(~adaweb.net; mnothem(~adaweb.net; TeresaB~adaweb.net;
rosindE~cableone.net; star-Chief~cableone.net; summitidaho(~cableone.net; Dennis
Johnson; dfriend~eagleflre.ong
Subject: Re: FW: Letter of Commitment for Override -EMS
Just to reiterate the points of our recent letter to the Commissioners,
our preference is not to disolve the current EMS district and replace it
with a higher structural fee regime, but to seek temporary funding via
the override. Hopefully, the override will be passed. We stand ready
to work collaboratively with the County to find operational efficiencies
that, combined with a strategic rehab of EMS, can lower the unit cost of
service so that taxpayers won't be stuck with unnecessary costs.
Alan Shealy, Boise City Council
»> "Dee Mahaffey" <dmahaffey@adaweb.net> 12/10104 4:01 PM »>
Bello all - the following is the letter of committeemen we have asked
all mayors, fire districts, etc. to sign and return to us before Dec
14th @ 9:00 a.m.--the date we would need to publish a resolution for
dissolving the F1~IS district. We recognize the short time available for
your consideration of this matter but we feel it is necessary to have
this signed document in our file before we proceed any further. The
media has requested a copy of this letter but we wanted you to have this
before we released it to them. Please confirm receipt of this e-mail.
If you would like a hard copy, please let us know and we will forward it
to you through the mail. Thank you for your prompt attention to this
matter.
Dennis - could you please ensure all the fire chiefs and the union
receive a copy of this a-mail as we do not have their a-mail addresses.
Could you please let me know when you have sent this to all of them as
well? Many thanks!
Dee Mahaffey on behalf of the Ada County Commissioners 287-7000
Pale 1 of 1
Wiil Berg
From: Tammy de W®eni
Sent: Friday, December 10, 2004 6:51 PM
To: 'Shaun Wardle ; 'Charles Rountree {crountre~itd.state.id.us) ; 'Charles Rountree
(rountrec~meridianciiy.org) ; 'Keith Bird (birdronaldkeith~msn.com) ; 'Christine Donnell ; 'Christine Donnell'
Cc: Bill Nary; 'bowen;k~meridianaty.org ; 'Richard Greene (greenefirepratection~msn.com) ;Will Berg
Subject: FW: Letter of Commitment for Override -EMS
You really need to read this... I am certainly interested in your comments!
Tammy de Weerd, Mayor
City of Meridian
www.meridiancity.org
(208) 888-4433 ext. 204
(208) 888-4218 fax
-----Original Message-----
From: Dee Mahaffey [mailto:dmahaffey@adaweb.net]
Sent: Friday, December 10, 2004 4:02 PM
To: Alan Sheay (E-mail); Bill Nary (E-mail); Dave Bkter (E-mail); Jerome Mapp (E-mail); John Evans (E-mail); Maryanne
Jordan (E-mail); Nancy C. Merrill (E-mail); Nathan Mitchell (E-mail); Scott Nordstrom (E-mail); Ted Ellis (E-mail);
kandy@4hr.com; Mayor Council; Maryanne Jordan; nmerrill@cityofeag~.org; shorton@cityofeagte.org;
tiosborn@cityofeagk.ong; ool~n@cityaflcuna.com; mayor@cityofkuna.wm; bergw@cityofineridian.org; Tammy de
Weerd; sbconklin@gardencityidaho.org; tellis@ganiencityidaho.org; Blaine@idahosmartgrowth.org;
crountre@itd.state.id.us; jdang@juno.mm; Tammy de Weerd; donnelk@meridiancity.org; Peggy Gardner;
birdronaldkeitfi@msn.com; W_Eberle@msn.com; lsedlacek@gwest.net; cbell@staridaho.org; nmitchell@staridaho.org;
evans4$@velocitus.net; dave_szplett@yahoo.com
Cc: DJohnson@cilyofboise.org; rosind@cableone.net; dfriend@eaglefire.org; star-chief@cableone.net; Troy Magen;
Teresa Baker; Melinda Not~ern; Melinda @ Summit
Subject: FW: l titter of Commitment for Override -EMS
Hello all -the following is the letter of committeemen we have asked all mayors, fire districts, etc. to sign and
return to us before Dec 14th C 9:00 a.m.--the date we would need to publish n resolution for dissolving the EMS
district. We recognize the short time available for your consideration of this mutter but we feel it is necessary to
have this signed document in our file before we proceed any further. The media has requested n copy of this
letter but we wanted you to have this before we released it to them. Please confirm receipt of this a-mail. If you
would like a hard copy, please let us know and we will forward it to you through the mail. Thank you for your
prompt attention to this matter.
Dennis -could you please ensure all the fire chiefs and the union receive a copy of this a-moil as we do not have
their a-mail addresses. Could you please let me know when you have sent this to all of them as well? Mnny thanks!
Dee Mahaffey on behalf of the Ada County Commissioners 287-7000
12/13/2004
LETTER OF COMIVIITMENT IN SUPPORT OF LEVY OVERRIDE ELECTION
FOR THE OPERATION OF ADA COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL
SERVICES
TffiS AGREEMENT is entered into this day of , 2004 by and
between Ada Courrty and its Emergency Medical Services Department, the City of Boise
and its Fire Department, Boise Firefighters Union Loca1672, the City of Eagle, the Eagle
Fire Protection District, the City of Star, the Star Rural Fire District, the City of Kuna, the
Kuna Rural Fire District, Garden City, the North Ada County Fire District, the City of
Meridian and its Fire Department, the Meridian Rural Fire District and the Meridian
Firefighters Union Local ?. The parties identified are collectively referred to herein as
the "Parties."
WHEREAS, Ada County operates Ada County Emergency Medical Services
("EMS") an ambulance taxing district organized under Idaho Code § 31-3908; and
WHEREAS, the recent changes to Federal laws under Medicare created an
environment wherein the ambulance providers no longer have the ability to recover the
balance of a bill not paid by Medicare from a patient, and along with similar changes by
Medicaid and other insurance providers have resulted in EMS losing more than 20% of
their gross revenue annually since Apri12002, when the rules went into effect; and
WHEREAS the demand for service by EMS continues to increase an average of
6% annually;
WHEREAS, the Board of Ada County Commissioners commissioned the Ada
County Emergency Medical Services Blue Ribbon Task Force in November 2003 to
study in depth the current emergency medical services system in Ada County with a
specific emphasis on the financial impact that the drastic changes to the Medicare system
by the federal government has had on Ada County and their ability to provide public
safety services to citizens;
WHEREAS, the Task Force looked at many options for increasing funding to
Ada County EMS as aself-supporting ambulance district including actively supporting a
bill sponsored by the Idaho Association of Counties in the 2003 and 2004 Idaho State
Legislature to allow for ambulance districts to increase their levy to the level curremly
LETTER OF COUNT IN SUPPORT OF LEVY OVERRIDE ELECTION
FOR THE OPERATION OF ADA COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PAGE 1
c:\doouments and settings\bergw.meaidiancityUocat selting~\temporary internal Sksblk8Uetter of committment for ovenide.doc
allowed by statute and mandates taxpayer approval of the tax levy increase at a
supermajority level and such bill failed; and
WHEREAS, the Task Force was unable to find an alternative source of funding
that has the ability to fund the budgetary short falls and unanimously recommended that
the current Ada County "Emergency Medical Services" District be dissolved and
recreated pursuant to Idaho Code § 31-3908; and
WHEREAS, Ada County is considering a resolution to dissolve the current
"Emergency Medical Services" district and a petition from taxpayers to recreate a new
district pursuant to Idaho Code § 31-3908; and
WHEREAS, several cities and fire districts have requested Ada County to
consider their proposals for cooperation for the provision of emergency medical services
in Ada County as they believe that an override of the taxing levy limitations would be an
effective way for EMS to solve their financial for the Emergency Medical Services; and
WHEREAS, Ada County is willing to consider asking the voters of Ada County
for a temporary override of the taxing levy for the Emergency Medical Services district
pursuant to Idaho Code § 63-802(3) under certain conditions as a temporary ovemde will
not provide a permanent solution to the funding problem as it would not adequately
address the issue as ongoing costs for equipment and personnel continue to increase
because of the increased demand for service; and
WHEREAS, Ada County desires to pursue the option of consolidation of fire and
emergency medical services.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals, the parties
covenant and agree as follows:
1. Cost of Override Election. The participants agree that they will share a
portion of the cast for the override election. This cost will be based in-kind donations of
employee time, providing polling places for the election and possibly other financial
consideration.
2. Legislative Cooperation. The parties agree to cooperate and actively
support the passage of legislation to create an option for taxpayers to vote to consolidate
emergency medical and fire services within a county and another to allow an ambulance
LETTER OF COMMTl'MENT IN SUPPORT OF LEVY OVERRIDE ELECTION
FOR THE OPERATION OF ADA COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PAGE 2
c:\documents and settings\bergw.meridiancityUocai settinga\temporay iMetnet files\o1k8Vetter of committment for override.doc
district to increase the mill levy of the district up to the level currently allowed by statute
with taxpayer approval of the tax levy increase at a supermajority level.
3. Independent Review of Emergency Medical Services Department and
Fire Services for Efficiencies. The parties agree to allow for an independent third party
review and financial audit of all emergency medical and fire services within Ada County
for efficiencies and develop a proposed consolidation plan if consolidation is
recommended. All parties shall share the cost for such review.
4. Emergency Medical and Fire Service Study Committee. The parties
agree to establish a committee to be formed immediately to review any proposed
eiFiciencies of service within the current structure of EMS and fire service. An
independent third party who shall act as the .committee facilitator and shall be a non-
voting member of the committee and shall chair the Emergency Medial and Fire Service
Study Committee. The committee shall be comprised of one representative from the Ada
County Board of Commissioners, one representative from Ada County EMS, the two Ada
County EMS medical directors, one representative from each of the fire districts, one
representative from each of the city fire departments and an Ada County citizen as an at-
large member.
The Emergency Medial and Fire Service Study Committee shall also review any
proposed plan for consolidation and make recommendations to the Board of Ada County
Commissioners.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this commitment is executed on the date indicated
below.
ADA COUNTY
By:
Judy Peavey-Derr
Chairman
CITY OF BOISE
Dated:
LETTER OF COMMITMENT IN SUPPORT OF LEVY OVERRIDE ELECTION
FOR THE OPERATION OF ADA COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PAGE 3
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gy; Dated:
David H. Bieter
Mayor
CITY OF EAGLE
sy; Dated:
Nancy Merrill
Mayor
CITY OF GARDEN CITY
sy:
Ted Ellis
Mayor
CITY OF KUNA
By:
Mayor
CITY OF MERIDIAN
By:
Tammy DeWeerd
Mayor
CITY OF STAR
By:
Mayor
NORTH ADA COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT
Dated:
Dated:
Dated:
Dated:
sy: Dated:
Chair
KUNA RURAL FIRE DISTRICT
By; Dated:
LETTER OF COMMITMENT IN SUPPORT OF LEVY OVERRIDE ELECTION
FOR THE OPERATION OF ADA COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PAGE 4
c:klowmente and settings\bergw.meridia~dyllocal sdtings~temporary Internet fiksloDc8Uetter of coaunittmeirt for ovemde.doc
Chair
EAGLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
By:
Chair
Dated:
STAR FIRE DISTRICT
By:
MERIDIAN RURAL FIltE DISTRICT
By; _ Dated:
Chair
MERIDIAN FIREFIGHTERS UNION LOCAL
By:
Chair
President
Dated:
Dated:
BOISE FIREFIGHTERS UNION LOCAL 672
By:
Tom Lovell
President
Dated:
LETTER OF COIVIIYIITMENT IN SUPPORT OF LEVY OVERRIDE ELECTION
FOR TSE OPERATION OF ADA COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PAGE 5
c:\dowments and settings\bergw.maidiarlcityUocal adtin~\temporary Internet filesblkBUett~ of committmeirt for override.doc
Page i of i
Will Berg
From: Dee Mahaffey [dmahaffey~adaweb.net]
Sent: Friday, December 10, 2004 4:02 PM
To: Alan Sheay (E-maid; Bill Nary (E-maid; Dave Bieter (E-maiq; Jerome Mapp (E-maid; John Evans (E-maiq;
Maryanne Jordan (E-maiq; Nancy C. Merrill (E-maiq; Nathan Mitchell (E-maid; Scott Nordstrom (E-maid;
Ted Elks (E-rnai~; kandy(~4hr.com; Mayor Coundl; Maryanne Jordan; nmerrill~dtyofeagle.org;
shorton~dlyofeagle.org; tosborn~dtyofeagle.org; colleen~cityofkuna.com; mayor(dldtyofkuna.com;
bergw~dtyofineridian.org; deweert~exchange.meridiandty.org; sbconkGn~gardencityidaho.org;
tellis~gardendtyidaho.org; elainer~idahosmartgrowth.org; crountre~itd.state.id.us; jtlangr~juno.com;
deweerdt~meridiandty.org; doneellcr~meridiandty.org; gardnerp~rr~eridiancity.org;
birdronaldkeith~msn.com; W Eberle(A~rnsn.com; Isedlacek(~gwest.net; cbell~staridaho.org;
nrdtchell~staridaho.org; evans48~velodtus.net; dave_szplettr~yahoo.com
Cc: DJohnson~dtyofboise.org; rosind~cableone.net; dfriend~eaglefire.org; star-chief@cableone.net; Troy
Wagen; Teresa Baker; McNnda Nothem; McNnda ~ Summit
Subject: FW: Letter of Commitment for Override -EMS
Hello all -the following is the letter of committeemen we have asked all mayors, fire districts, etc. to sign and
return to us before Dec 14th C~ 9:00 a.m.--the date we would need to publish a resolution for dissolving the EMS
district. We recognize the short time available for your consideration of this matter but we feel it is necessary to
have this signed document in our file before we proceed any further. The media has requested a copy of this
letter but we wanted you to have this before we released it to them. Please confirm receipt of this a-mail. If you
would like a hard copy, please let us know and we will forward it to you through the mail. Thank you for your
prompt attention to this matter.
Dennis -could you please ensure all the fire chiefs and the union receive a copy of this a-mail as we do not have
their a-mail addresses. Could you please let me know when you have sent this to all of them as well? Many thanks!
Dee Mahaffey on behalf of the Adn County Commissioners 287-7000
12/13/2004