January 11, 2024 |
Photo – A view of Hanna – Bigfoot99 file photo
Hanna officials have reluctantly agreed to a new SCWEMS agreement.
In mid-2023, South Central Wyoming EMS began updating its 15-year-old joint powers board contract. In order for the new agreement to take effect, all participating entities must agree to the terms.
SCWEMS representatives have traveled around the county to present the updated contract to the seven member entities served by the ambulance group. SCWEMS has taken suggestions from town attorneys and revised the contract three times. Now, the third amended agreement is set to be signed by every town and put into effect.
At Tuesday’s Hanna town council meeting, SCWEMS joint powers board chairwoman Irene Archibald explained the changes to the updated agreement. Archibald said the process to leave the organization has been simplified.
Because SCWEMS is partially funded by the participating members, Archibald said a town must opt out of the ambulance service before the yearly budget is set on April 15th.
Archibald said member entities can be kicked out of SCWEMS if they refuse to pay the ambulance service. The SCWEMS joint powers board chairwoman said the new agreement bars a town from rejoining the organization for five years.
Councilman Roger Hawks asked Archibald what would happen if a town was unable to pay for SCWEMS coverage. Archibald said the contract states that the ambulance service will attempt to resolve the issue without ejecting the town from the agreement.
Section 5.1.02 of the updated SCWEMS joint powers board agreement says any agency having issues making their payments must inform the joint powers board so they may work to resolve the issue cooperatively.
The council questioned the purpose of the five-year ban on rejoining SCWEMS. Councilman Hawks said a town that legitimately can’t pay shouldn’t be kicked out of the organization for half a decade. Hawks asked if the penalty could be changed. Archibald said any alterations to the agreement will require every participating entity to approve the contract again.
The council asked Archibald if the five-year ban could be changed to allow a newly elected town government to rejoin SCWEMS. Hanna Fire Chief Mark Kostovny said the ban acts as a deterrent to prevent a council from simply choosing to leave the organization because they don’t want to pay. Chief Kostovny said elected officials should do what’s best for their constituents.
Archibald said the five-year ban will only be used against members who refuse to pay for ambulance service.
The SCWEMS joint powers board chairwoman said participating entities will have plenty of warning of what their expected yearly contributions will be. Archibald said after looking at the budget, a town can decide if they wish to remain in SCWEMS or not.
If Hanna chooses to leave SCWEMS, it will lose local coverage and be forced to rely on Memorial Hospital of Carbon County to provide ambulance service. Councilman Bill Dys said he understands that SCWEMS membership is good for residents. However, Councilman Dys said the obligation to pay may put too much of a burden on the town’s finances.
Archibald explained that the town’s current SCWEMS agreement contains the same language obligating the town to pay what the ambulance service stipulates.
Councilman Hawks motioned to sign the 3rd amendment to the SCWEMS joint powers board agreement. Despite his earlier objections, Councilman Dys seconded and the motion passed.
The Hanna town council agreed that paying SCWEMS $23,222 a year was less expensive than operating its own in-town ambulance service.
