Gentry joins with county in seeking ambulance bids

GENTRY -- Gentry is partnering with Benton County in a request for bids for ambulance service, according to information shared by Mayor Kevin Johnston of Gentry with those attending a meeting of the city's economic development and finance committees on Friday.

According to information shared by Johnston with the committees, it is costing the city nothing to join together with the county in requesting bids for ambulance service. He said the bid request was advertised last week and bids must be submitted by June 15 to be considered.

Johnston said the city is paying $77,000 to Siloam Springs this year and is being requested to pay $130,000 in 2021. Johnston said joining with the county in requesting bids could possibly provide a less expensive option for making ambulance service available in Gentry.

Johnston said the county's goal with the bid request is for service which would be cost neutral to the county and to cities. He said that might mean the city allowing the ambulance service provider to operate out of a Gentry fire station to offset costs for the city to provide the service.

Property owners already pay 0.2 mills for ambulance service in the county and can pay a voluntary tax of 2 mills to help cover the cost of ambulance service.

Johnston said the city will not know about costs and services provided until the bids are received. The city is under no obligation to accept a bid and can continue to contract with Siloam Springs if it chooses and Siloam Springs continues to offer service to Gentry.

Factors to be considered in addition to cost include specific services offered and response times.

General News on 05/30/2018