BENTON COUNTY — Benton County’s emergency medical services study could be ready for review this week, justices of the peace were told Thursday night.
The county paid $30,000 to a consulting firm to review emergency medical services available and recommend how the county mightprovide service in rural areas.
The county authorized the study after Bentonville asked to be reimbursed for ambulance runs made by its fire department outside the city. The city proposes a $400 fee for each ambulance run where a patient is transported, except when the individual is a Bentonville resident.
Bentonville is one of several entities providing service into unincorporated areas of the county.
The county has devoted $150,000 for ambulance service payments in 2012 as a “gesture” and the study is intended to show what service model best suits county needs.
Justice of the Peace Frank Winscott said the first draft of the study is expected to be about 90 pages and he urged the justices of the peace to study it so they can discuss the issue.
The county’s springcleanup was “a great, great success,” according to Elizabeth Bowen, general services administrator.
Bowen briefed the Quorum Court on the May 19 event, telling members the county had 1,474 “customers” at this year’s event. In 2011, the county had two cleanup events, with the spring cleanup in 2011 drawing 900 customers and the 2011 fall cleanup seeing 1,542 customers bring unwanted household itemsand household hazardous waste material to the Road Department for disposal.
Bowen said the county is still assessing the cleanup’s cost, and another report with that information will be made to the Quorum Court.
The appointment of a new member of the Planning Board took up most of the Quorum Court’s time Thursday. Ashley Tucker of Bella Vista, an employee of Walmart’s Real Estate andDesign division, was approved for the seat vacated when Cindy Jones accepted a job with the county.
Tucker told the justices of the peace he thinks the county needs a master plan, but not necessarily zoning. He said the planning has to consider the rights of all property owners when considering a project and make sure any development is compatible with surrounding properties.
Community, Pages 11 on 05/30/2012