(KNZA)--Discussion continued this week focused on the next steps in forming and operating a countywide ambulance service in Doniphan County.

That’s according to the unofficial minutes of Monday’s meeting of the Doniphan County Commission, with that session bringing County EMS Committee members together focused on the ongoing, long-discussed proposal.

Among related matters discussed was that the MO-KAN Regional Council is making final amendments to the Request for Proposals prior to sending to third-party administrators for operations of the possible ambulance service.

Discussion also included possible funding for such an operation, with the County Commission considering dissolving Doniphan County Ambulance District Number 1, comprised of Fire Districts numbers 1 and 5, “and forming a new countywide ambulance service district by May 1 for budgeting purposes; levying up to the current 2.2 mills for operations.” Another change considered as part of the discussion is for Fire Districts numbers 2 and 3 to no longer levy a tax for Highland Ambulance Service, but would be included in the countywide ambulance service district along with Elwood.

The proposed tax of 2.2 mills for funding of the district would, according to the meeting’s minutes, “remain neutral for some taxpayers, reduce property tax for others, and slightly increase property tax for those not currently paying for ambulance service.”

Additionally, the Commission Monday discussed placing a 1% designated sales tax referendum for EMS Services on the August 2 primary election ballot.

Despite Monday’s discussion regarding the proposed ambulance district’s future, no action was taken on the matter during the meeting.