(KAIR)--A special election is planned in the new year for Doniphan County, with voters to decide  the fate of establishing countywide ambulance service.  

That follows a study regarding the feasibility of such a move, with the consultant’s report from Fitch and Associates LLC, compiled to assess ambulance service and 911 response in the county, determining that the plan is feasible.  That was revealed during Monday’s meeting of the Doniphan County Commission by attorney Joel Euler, who was in attendance along with other EMS Committee members, and Troy City Representatives, to discuss the issue.  According to the unofficial minutes of Monday’s meeting, “the EMS Committee recommends [that the County Commission] develop requests for proposals, with the assistance of Mo-Kan Regional Council, for administration of a countywide ambulance service.”  

However, the committee agreed that prior to that, “a special election be held seeking community input on the formation of a countywide ambulance service.” The Commission agreed, voting unanimously to set a special, March 8 election for establishing the countywide ambulance district.  

Following the vote, Troy City Attorney Alan Boeh told the Commission, the City endorses the goal; and while the City had previously given the County notice to terminate their contract for operations of Doniphan County Ambulance District Number 1, the service is still functioning, and the City of Troy “strongly suggests the County consider a perpetuation of the current month to month agreement to provide ambulance service through [District 1] at a monthly rate as determined by the annual contractual amount,” with the City to “continue to provide ambulance service through [District 1] until a new district is formed or until no longer feasible for the City of Troy.”  

The Commission voted unanimously to accept the proposal, and to continue to contract on a month to month basis for ambulance services through Doniphan County Ambulance District Number 1 at a monthly rate as established by the annual budgeted amount.”