County Board's Legislative Committee Recommends Contracting w/Rural Med for 911 Ambulance Service

The Effingham County Board's Legislative Committee Monday voted to approve a Request for Proposal with Rural Med for 911 ambulance service in the county.

Work, assuming the full Board votes to proceed, will now begin on agreeing on a contract with Rural Med, the vendor that was recommended by the Board's Ambulance Oversight Committee. 

The vote Monday was 5-2 with one abstention. Voting in favor of moving ahead with Rural Med were Jim Niemann, Rob Arnold, Joe Thoele, Norbert Soltwedel, and Heather Mumma. Voting against were John Perry and Doug McCain. Elizabeth Huston, who is an owner of A-1 Ambulance in Altamont, abstained from the vote. Committee Chairman Dave Campbell, who was back at the meeting following a lengthy illness, did not vote. Typically with the Effingham County Board and its committees, the chairman does not vote unless needed to break a tie.

The county's current contract with Abbott EMS expires in April, but the Board voted earlier to extend that agreement by another six months. However, that extension still needs to be finalized.

Also Monday, Legislative Committee members agreed to establish a committee to look into child care needs in the county. Soltwedel said, "We have to stop losing (child care) providers; it's hurting employment opportunities." His point is that people are needing to stay home to care for their children so can't be part of the workforce. Niemann, as County Board Chair, is expected to have a tentative committee makeup ready for the Board's monthly meeting next Tuesday.