First response services discontinued in Ramona
First response services have been discontinued in Ramona.
Marion County Emergency Medical Services Director Darryl Thiesen reported Monday to Marion County Commission Ramona residents will now use Tampa ambulance services.
The decision was made due to a lack of trained personnel in Ramona to operate the equipment.
A letter from Pat Wick, mayor of Ramona, was presented by Thiesen to the commission regarding the change.
Commissioner Howard Collett said he was concerned with Wick's letter stating the county had "removed" the vehicle.
Thiesen said he told Wick it would be removed because there was no personnel to operate it. He assured the commission Wick and the Ramona City Council were approving the change.
"Ramona had one technician and she moved out-of-county," Thiesen said. "Tampa can respond faster than the technician can (since she moved from the area)."
Thiesen said it will be determined if there is a need for the vehicle in the EMS department. If not, he will follow the county's procedure for selling it.
In other business:
— The commission acknowledged the receipt of a landfill closure proposal for engineering services from engineer Jack Chappelle. The commission will review and discuss it at a future meeting.
— County clerk Carol Maggard presented the county treasurer's report. Cash on hand as of July 31 was $7,173,037 with $1,871,630 in the general fund and $871,413 in the road and bridge fund.
Twenty-eight delinquent personal property warrants have been delivered to the county sheriff's office for dispersion.
— Maggard distributed the county's July budget report. No more than 58 percent of the total budgeted funds should be expended by the seventh month.
Departments noted were register of deeds, slightly over due to repairs on a processor, county attorney at 70 percent, and sheriff and judicial both at 62 percent.
— The commission approved two road crossing permits.
Jim Herzet, acting county superintendent of the road and bridge department, reported Nighthawk and Aulne roads were sealed. County crews currently are sealing Elk Road.
Collett asked if fog seal on the roads would preserve them.
"I've noticed on the Durham and Lincolnville Road, the shoulders are deteriorating," Collett said. "We need to do whatever it takes to maintain the roads."
Herzet said the crews will blade and patch roads when sealing was complete. The commission instructed Herzet to fog seal the newly sealed roads.
— David Brazil, county planning and zoning director, requested a 15-minute executive session with the commission and county attorney Susan Robson for attorney-client privilege. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
— The commission reviewed $11,825 in expenses from the special vehicle fund. Expenses were noted for improvements in the treasurer's and driver's license offices.
Some expenses were $864 for a ceiling fan, $6,343 for furniture and labor, and $714 for a computer.
Additional expenses were noted for county treasurer Jeannine Bateman's trip to Phoenix for a national treasurer's meeting.
— A proclamation was read from Midwest LifeTeam, thanking the county EMS department for "its daily effort in providing lifesaving care to those in need." A certificate was presented to Thiesen.
