VCAD discusses policy change for 'first out' trucks

Friday, February 21, 2020

The Vernon County Ambulance District Board met in regular session Thursday evening. The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. After approval of the tentative agenda was received, guests welcomed, and the minutes of the Jan. 16 meeting were approved, Treasurer Chris Mason gave the Treasurer's Report.

Treasurer's Report

• Taxes collected for the month of January: $316,782.31.

• Billing income for month of January: $97,746.86.

• Other income: $520.

• Refund/Overpayment January: $1,171.93.

• Interest income January: $1.16.

• Total income for month of January: $416,222.26.

• Bills paid for month of January: $48,873.32.

• Payroll expenses for January: $83,046.52.

• Billing service:

$11,266.78.

• Total expenses for January: $143,186.62.

• Net income: $273,035.64.

• First National Bank: $4,291.53.

• Community National Bank: $200,924.97.

• Community National Bank Reserve Account: $281,120.96.

• Total balance of all above accounts as of Jan. 31, 2020: $486,337.46.

Leland Splitter then went over proposed bills. Darrell Hillier motioned to accept the proposed bills, with Joe Charles seconding. This was board approved.

The board then reviewed write-offs. The write-off totals were as follows:

• Medicare: $107,330.07.

• Medicaid: $462,526.21.

• Veterans Admin: $12,182.87.

• Private Pay: $311,335.51.

• Commercial Insurance: $70,511.75.

• Charity Wrife Offs: $6,006.49.

In new business

• It was declared that elections wouldn’t be necessary since the current board members were the only ones to file (Coeta Smith and Jeanne Baldwin).

• Approval was sought for the district to have an on-site hosted CADS (Certified Ambulance Documentation Specialist) course. The host (VCAD) is responsible to pay travel expenses (which is billed at cost) for no more than two NAAC representatives. Travel expenses include airfare (coach class), rental car (economy class), lodging, meals, and parking. The course has a flat fee of $7,000 — however, with the travel expenses for the instructors and food/refreshments for attendees figured in, the cost would be approximately $10,000. A deposit of $5,000 is due at the time of booking the course and signing a CADS Hosted Agreement. “What I’m asking tonight is the board’s ‘OK’ to go on with this class,” stated Splitter. “We are looking at April 21. It is a $5,000 down payment tonight. Then we’d sign the contract and send them a check.” Board member Hillier motioned to approve the request, with Mason seconding. The board approved.

• Board approval was sought to send Varlie Hardy to ABC360 in St. Louis. This was approved.

• With the board’s blessing, Splitter requested a revision in the district’s policy on “first out” trucks. “I’d like to say that we’re not taking any transfers past 120 miles with our ‘first out’ crew,” stated Splitter. “They will do a direct 100-mile radius and any transfers by the ‘first out’ crew will go no more than 120, which encompasses Springfield, Kansas City, and Joplin. There is nothing in the policy in black and white” pertaining to this issue, according to Splitter. Mason motioned to add the requested changes to the district’s “first out” truck policy, with Charles seconding. This received board approval.

In old business

• Two bids were received for lightning protection. They were: Haynes Communications — $2,151.51; and iNetVisions — $999.90. Mason motioned to accept the bid of $999.90 from iNetVisions. Charles seconded and the board approved.

After the Supervisors Report, the meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m.

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