Whitfield commissioners renew agreement with Hamilton for ambulance service

Published 1:15 pm Tuesday, September 11, 2018

DALTON, Ga. — Hamilton Emergency Medical Services (EMS), part of Hamilton Health Care System, could operate Whitfield County’s EMS ambulance system for the next 12 years.

Hamilton has had the EMS contract for 32 years, and the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners voted 3-0 on Monday to approve a new agreement that could potentially extend that contract through the end of 2030. Commissioner Roger Crossen was absent.

Commissioners said they were happy to reach an agreement with Hamilton.

“We are satisfied with the service they provide,” said Commissioner Greg Jones.

Hamilton officials also said they were glad to have reached an agreement.

“Hamilton Emergency Medical Services has been the 911 provider for many years and we look forward to continuing to provide this service to our community,” said Sandy McKenzie, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Hamilton Health Care System. “As part of Hamilton Health Care System, Hamilton EMS is an important part of the team that provides continuity of care between pre-hospital and the Emergency Department.”

The contract says either party can end the contract on Dec. 31, 2020, by giving six months notice. If neither side does that, it will automatically renew every two years through Dec. 31, 2030, unless one side gives 180 days notice that it wishes to end the contract.

The primary changes in the agreement are reducing to $250,000 from $300,000 the county’s annual payment to Hamilton and the removal of county funding of $70,000 every other year for a portion of a new ambulance.

“The current subsidy of $300,000 does not offset all the losses, so the decrease will make it more challenging,” said McKenzie. “We will continue to be diligent to identify opportunities to improve our operations, although our first priority is to provide a high level of service to the residents of Whitfield County.”

Commissioners said they were happy the agreement reduces the costs to taxpayers.

“We are satisfied that is a reasonable amount,” said Commissioner Harold Brooker.

Commissioners voted last year to renew Hamilton’s contract to operate the EMS through 2018. But commissioners said they wanted to have a full request for information, something the county had not had since 2009.

Commissioners issued the request for information, an opportunity for companies interested in bidding on the service to make a presentation to county officials, earlier this year. Two providers responded to that request, Hamilton and a company that was not identified by county officials.

Commissioners also held a public hearing on a draft joint comprehensive plan update for Whitfield County and the cities of Cohutta, Dalton, Tunnel Hill and Varnell. The plan is for 2018-22. No member of the public spoke, but some audience members asked for a hard copy of the plan. Copies of the draft plan are available for review at city and county offices.

Commissioners also voted 3-0 to:

• Approve an application by the Conasauga Drug Court for a $13,528 federal grant to fund drug testing of those in the Drug Court program.

• Approve an $8,875 agreement with TRC of Columbia, South Carolina, to perform an archaeological evaluation of the county-owned property on Rocky Face Ridge and the adjacent Grant Farm. The county plans a mountain bike trail on the property. Grant Farm was the site of a Civil War battle, and the ridge holds numerous Civil War fortifications. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Historic Preservation Division recommended the evaluation to make sure the construction won’t affect significant features associated with the Civil War.

• Approve a $20,475 agreement with J&T Services Center of Lincolnton to install a generator in fire department headquarters.