Finance committee to meet to discuss EMS contracts
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
The finance committee of the Hillsboro City Council will meet Thursday to discuss EMS contracts with area townships.
Finance committee chairperson Peter Pence told The Highland County Press that Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Ralph Holt had requested the meeting.
"Basically the township portion of the agenda was requested by the safety and service director, asking that finance meet in regard to some of the things he wanted to go over on the EMS contracts," Pence said.
In November, council voted 5-2 to accept a contract for fire and EMS services for the Hamer, Jackson, Liberty, New Market, Paint, Penn and Washington townships. In March, Holt gave written notice to the townships that their EMS services would be discontinued as of June 30 if a different contract could not be reached. Council was not consulted on the potential canceling of the townships. On June 17, an agreement was reached between the city and the townships for the November contract to be honored through the end of the year. The parties are now negotiating for contracts for 2012 and on. Penn Township has since joined the Highland County Joint North Fire and EMS District.
Pence said that because the matter involves negotiations, it is likely discussion will take place in executive session.
"I'm not certain what is going to be presented," Pence said. "(Holt) said there is something he would like to bring before the committee and it has to deal with an offer or counter offer. I talked to (Hillsboro Law Director Fred Beery) to get his take on the meeting Friday (when an agreement was reached), plus I wanted to his legal opinion. He said it probably should be handled in executive session because it is regarding negotiations. "
Pence said there should be at least some discussion that will take place in open session.
"I want to know where his information came from," Pence said, regarding city finances.
Holt wrote in a letter to Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins, legal counsel to the townships, on Friday, June 17, that, "I was somewhat surprised by the city auditor's (Gary Lewis) assessment that we will not have a shortfall in our fire/EMS department this year after all. Our previous actions was predicated in our understanding that such a condition was inevitable. All city departments have made major cuts, which have resulted in staff reductions and termination of equipment purchases. Nevertheless, we have and will continue to rely on the auditor's advice as to the strength of our budget. Therefore, as of today, the city is committed to providing EMS services through the end of the year as presently provided."
Pence said that when Holt sent the notice to the townships in March, without consulting with council, "The first thing I did was call Gary Lewis and asked him what hat changed (with city finances). He said at that time nothing had changed when the letter was sent out."
The committee will meet in council chambers at the Hillsboro Fire Station Thursday at 5 p.m.
The committee is also schedule dot discuss a request from the Ohio Consumer's Council.
The finance committee of the Hillsboro City Council will meet Thursday to discuss EMS contracts with area townships.
Finance committee chairperson Peter Pence told The Highland County Press that Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Ralph Holt had requested the meeting.
"Basically, the township portion of the agenda was requested by the safety and service director, asking that finance meet in regard to some of the things he wanted to go over on the EMS contracts," Pence said.
In November, council voted 5-2 to accept a contract for fire and EMS services for the Hamer, Jackson, Liberty, New Market, Paint, Penn and Washington townships. In March, Holt gave written notice to the townships that their EMS services would be discontinued as of June 30 if a different contract could not be reached. Council was not consulted on the potential canceling of the townships' agreements.
On June 17, an agreement was reached between the city and the townships for the November contract to be honored through the end of the year. The parties are now negotiating for contracts for 2012 and on. Penn Township has since joined the Highland County Joint North Fire and EMS District.
On June 17, an agreement was reached between the city and the townships for the November contract to be honored through the end of the year. The parties are now negotiating for contracts for 2012 and on. Penn Township has since joined the Highland County Joint North Fire and EMS District.
Pence said that because the matter involves negotiations, it is likely discussion will take place in executive session.
"I'm not certain what is going to be presented," Pence said. "(Holt) said there is something he would like to bring before the committee, and it has to deal with an offer or counter offer. I talked to (Hillsboro Law Director Fred Beery) to get his take on the meeting Friday (when an agreement was reached), plus I wanted to get his legal opinion. He said it probably should be handled in executive session because it is regarding negotiations."
Pence said there should be at least some discussion that will take place in open session.
"I want to know where his information came from," Pence said, regarding city finances.
Holt wrote in a letter to Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins, legal counsel to the townships, on Friday, June 17, that "I was somewhat surprised by the city auditor's (Gary Lewis) assessment that we will not have a shortfall in our fire/EMS department this year after all. Our previous actions was predicated in our understanding that such a condition was inevitable. All city departments have made major cuts, which have resulted in staff reductions and termination of equipment purchases. Nevertheless, we have and will continue to rely on the auditor's advice as to the strength of our budget. Therefore, as of today, the city is committed to providing EMS services through the end of the year as presently provided."
Pence said that when Holt sent the notice to the townships in March, without consulting with council, "The first thing I did was call Gary Lewis and asked him what had changed (with city finances). He said at that time, nothing had changed when the letter was sent out."
The committee will meet in council chambers at the Hillsboro Fire Station Thursday at 5 p.m.
The committee is also scheduled to discuss a request from the Ohio Consumers Council.
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