DECATUR — DECATUR - The city of Decatur could soon be paying for ambulance service, thanks to a state law brought to light by controversy in other local cities.
Decatur city council members voted to begin negotiations with the Gravette Fire Department for ambulance service fees at the Sept. 10 meeting.
In addition, the council voted to pay the Gravette Ambulance Service $1,000 for past services as a gesture of good will.
State law requires cities to reimburse outside ambulance services for their cost, according to Mayor Charles Linam. The law has been in effect for some time but was recently brought to light by the “hassle” Bentonville is having with Centerton and the county, he said.
The Gravette Ambulance Service has served Decatur for a number of years without charge to the city. It recently upgraded to an Advanced Life Support system with paramedics in addition to emergency medical technicians, Linam said.
The Gravette ambulance service is asking to be reimbursed $100 for every call they make to Decatur, far less than the $500 Bentonville is asking for, Linam said. The Gravette Ambulance Service made around 100 calls within the Decatur city limits last year. At that rate, the service would cost Decatur about $10,000 a year.
The fees are in addition to what the ambulance service charges patients and their insurance companies for service. Fire chief David Flynt explained that the ambulance service is required to provide service whether or not the patient has insurance or an outstanding bill. For some uninsured patients, the ambulance service will never get any compensation, he said.
Council members brought up concerns about future cost as well as the timing.
“They are a business and it’s not our problem if they fail to collect from a customer,” councilwoman Nan McClain said.
“Why now?” asked councilwoman Sandy Duncan.
Councilman James Jessen voiced concerns thatGravette would increase the costs in the future.
Linam pointed out the proposed fees are negotiable.
“We can decide not to pay them, but they have every right to deny us service,” he said.
Gravette could pull out and not provide service to Decatur, in which case Decatur would have to rely on Siloam Springs and Bentonville at a much higher rate, Flynt pointed out. He suggested a long-term contract to protect against rising costs.
“If we do something like this, we can come to a cheaper agreement. If we do nothing, they can come back and ask for $500 per patient,” Flynt said.
Linam recommended paying the Gravette ambulance service $1,000 as a goodwill gesture for past services.
“It would be a shame not to do that and have someone need them and not have it,” Flynt said.
In other business, the council passed the third reading of a noise ordinance that will regulate noise in the city limits, including engine brakes for semi-trucks. The ordinance will go into effect 30 days after it is published.
City utilities director James Boston reported repairs to the bridge on Third Street are complete and the street has been reopened. The bridge was damaged during the April 2011 floods. FEMA has already paid for 75 percent of the cost of repairing the bridge. The city will now apply for a 12.5 percent reimbursement from the state.
Flynt reported that work on the Decatur Fire Station addition was set to begin last week. Linam said the contractor is supposed to finish the project by Nov. 29 but has asked for a 30 day delay. Linam said he would agree to a grace period as soon as the contractor begins work.
Police Chief Terry Luker recommended charging community members $5 for finger printing services. The police department has had a high number of people requesting finger printing for job applications since other local departments charge a fee.
Linam reported that final figures show the swimming pool cost about $4,700, well under the $5,000 limit he promised the council last year.
News, Pages 12 on 09/26/2012