Charles City, Floyd County Contract with AMR Ambulance Still Undecided

Floyd County and the City of Charles City are still playing the waiting game on the details for their next ambulance contract with AMR.

The current contract with AMR expires June 30th, with the County and City subsidizing operational costs for the private ambulance service by splitting payment to AMR of about $445,000 this fiscal year.

Tuesday (04.28), Floyd County Supervisors heard a recap of Monday (04.27) night’s Ambulance Commission meeting, with City Administrator Tyler Trout saying AMR’s initial proposal calls for a subsidy of $560,000 starting July 1st, though AMR offered $30,000 in savings for the City and County to pay bonuses for ambulance staff. Trout explain some of the stipulations for paying out those bonuses.

The Commission also discussed a feasibility study on whether to stay with AMR or the City and County form their own municipal ambulance. That study could cost $32,000 to $44,000.

Supervisor Frank Rottinghaus, a member of the Commission, said he was against the study.

Fellow Supervisors Boyd Campbell and Gloria Carr were also against the feasibility study at this stage. Carr also asked if Floyd County Medical Center (FCMC) could be a partner in the long range plan for a public ambulance service.

Thus far, FCMC’s involvement, in each of the past three years, has been a contribution of $100,000 a year to help the City and County (paid $50,000 each) defray some of the AMR subsidy payment. Trout said the Commission has not yet approached FCMC about their role in the next AMR contract or forming their own ambulance.

The next Ambulance Commission meeting is tentatively scheduled for May 19th, with Trout and Rottinghaus indicating they’re hopeful AMR will have another contract proposal for review in the next couple of weeks.