Jasper Board Raises Ambulance Attendant Pay, Approves Change in County Engineers

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Published on March 15 2022 2:49 pm
Last Updated on March 15 2022 2:49 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

In an attempt to address low staffing issues, Jasper County board members have voted to increase the pay rates for ambulance service personnel.

As of this week, the county-run service will be down to four full-time paramedics and three EMT-basics. 

The Board voted to approve pay rates of $23/hour for full time paramedics and $18/hour for full time EMT-basics, and $20/hour for part time paramedics and $16/hour for par time EMT-basics. If the service is fully staffed, there would be a cost savings because it would reduce the need to pay overtime.

The Board's Ambulance Committee also reminded of informational meetings scheduled to discuss a tax referendum on the June ballot that would generate revenue for ambulance service in the county. Informational meetings are set for March 22 and April 19, each at 7pm. The meetings will be held at Newton Community High School. Proponents will also meet with the Jasper County Farm Bureau Board on the referendum on March 21.

Board members heard from Corey McDonald of Kemper Technology Consulting on a possible Cyber Security contract. The agreement would cover technology in all county departments. A vote on the contract could come in the near future.

The Board voted to allocate $813,239 in Federal ARPA funds for the HVAC system at the new Law Enforcement Center and the 911 dispatch system for the Center. Jasper County Sheriff Brandon Francis said work on the Law Enforcement Center is more than 70% complete. 

Jasper board members agreed to hire Andrew Deters as the next county engineer. Deters will succeed Ben Bland, who is retiring after working many years as county engineer for both Jasper and Cumberland counties. Bland thanked the Board for the opportunity to work for Jasper County and was presented a plaque for his service. The estimate is that Bland attended 292 board meetings between the two counties.

Bland reported on plans for a soil cement base course and bituminous surface treatment for the Hunt City Road. Connor and Connor was hired to do the engineering work on the project.