Concerns Over Lack of Notice on County Website Halts Action on Ambulance Contract

Complaints were raised over a lack of proper notice on the County's website of a special meeting scheduled for Tuesday afternoon to approve an ambulance agreement and a settlement agreement, and that led to a decision not to meet to act on the agreements.

The scheduled meeting was announced since Saturday on our stations and posted on our website since early Saturday afternoon, but it was not published on the County's website for a sufficient length of time. Local attorney Chris Koester, who has represented the County Board in a lawsuit with Altamont Ambulance Service, and Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler said they weren't sure that guidelines required at least 48 hours' notice on the County website, but said that after several years of litigating the lawsuit and a proposed settlement, it made more sense to schedule the special meeting for a later date and make sure adequate notice was given.

The special meeting to vote on the contract with Abbott Ambulance and an agreement between Abbott and Altamont ambulance services is now set for Friday, June 2 at 10am.

There were also questions over how Abbott was chosen to provide ambulance service and a contention that every service that wishes should get to provide ambulance service here as long as they meet the guidelines.

Koester responded that the new agreement requires certain performance by Abbott or else they will be replaced with another service.

Board members Lloyd Foster and Rob Arnold were not present Monday.