Simpson County will have a new ambulance service provider starting July 1.
The Simpson County Board of Supervisors voted five to zero to start doing business with ASAP Emergency Ambulance Services. The specifics of the services have yet to be determined in that a request for proposals had been recently sent out by the Board of Supervisors.
It appears, however, that ASAP was by far the best deal available to serve the county. Bids submitted for service in the county ranged from the $75,000 annual supplement to $1.35 million from other companies. The existing service provider, AMR, chose not to submit a bid for service.
In January of this year AMR had announced a reduction of service to the county, which prompted the board to seek other service providers. Upon discussion AMR exercised their right of contract termination and did not offer to bid for the business.
Supervisor Mitchell Chapman inquired of ASAP whether residents of Simpson County would be considered to fill employment positions. The company indicated that they would. The base of bids submitted for the service was $75,000 a year for annual supplement. This was for three or a fourth unit which would be provided by one of the nearby counties where ASAP is also contracted.
The board accepted a bid from Holmac in the amount of $168,188 with a guaranteed buy back at the end of term in the amount of $50,000. The bid was the lowest of three bids submitted.
Truckworks submitted a bid on the purchase of three new tandem dump trucks and submitted the lowest bid in the amount of $150,900 each with a guaranteed buy back after two years of $129,000.
Emergency Manager John Kilpatrick reported no new issues regarding the pandemic and that hospitals were getting items such as masks from the state through the Health Department.
The board approved the hire of temporary help in solid waste as hoppers on the garbage truck routes.
Board members also approved the hiring of temporary summer help in other departments. Road Manager Ben Warren reported the hiring of two new employees, Douglas May and Robert Shows. He reported that three roads were closed because of last Thursday night’s storm.
The board tabled an offer on buy back of equipment from Deaco.
The board authorized the re-bidding of a new roof and another option using some of the materials for the roof on the old court house.
