The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members are keeping the paramedic assistance services resolution on the table until January.
The resolution was brought up for discussion again Monday night. Previously, Fire Chief Rod Miller said the resolution amends the charges to towns the Plymouth EMS assists to a flat $300 fee for ALS Services. Miller noted rising costs as a catalyst for the flat fee.
Officials from the Town of Argos presented financial difficulties with the new arrangement which was echoed by Walkerton EMS Director Bob Severeid Monday night. He noted that if the $300 fee would go into effect, their costs would increase $8,000 and account for 85 percent of the department’s revenue.
Miller asked the board members to keep the resolution tabled until more discussion can be held with City Attorney Sean Surrisi, Clerk-Treasurer Jeanine Xaver and the deputies who handle billing for the Plymouth EMS Department. Miller noted that recent ideas include a tiered billing system, to make things fairer. He stressed that there has to be some cost passed down to the towns they assist as costs are rising for medications and other needs that need to be stocked and used on the ALS ambulance.
The board members agreed to table the resolution with discussions to resume after the first of the new year.
