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Ohio ambulance service extends agreement without increasing fees

According to Council President Mark Haney, Smith had been asking for a 60% increase in its contract — from $14 per person to $22 per person

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Under the proposal from Bob Smith of Smith Ambulance, the cost of ambulance service would not increase through the end of January.

Photo/Smith Ambulance

Jon Baker
The Times-Reporter, New Philadelphia, Ohio

UHRICHSVILLE, Ohio — Members of Uhrichsville council agreed Thursday to an extension of the city’s contract with Smith Ambulance through Jan. 31, 2020.

The contract was due to expire after Sept. 30.

According to Council President Mark Haney, Smith had been asking for a 60% increase in its contract — from $14 per person to $22 per person.

“With a city that struggles with its budget, Uhrichsville doesn’t have that money for an increase,” Haney said.

Under the proposal from Bob Smith of Smith Ambulance, the cost of ambulance service would not increase through the end of January. The contract would then go month to month if no new agreement is reached.

In addition, Uhrichsville and the other entities served by Smith — the village of Dennison, the village of Tuscarawas and Warwick Township, Mill Township, Rush Township and Union Township — would sit down and negotiate a new contract with Smith.

“We have a couple more proposals to look at from other EMT services, and we will also be sitting down with Smith,” Haney said.

Dennison Councilman Greg DiDonato said the other political entities in the group have all verbally agreed to the contract extension.

“I think now we’ll be able to get together and work as a unit,” DiDonato said. “I’m very grateful Bob Smith made this gesture. We hear where he’s coming from. The cost of business is going up, so he will need some kind of increase.”

He said that Smith has done a wonderful job of serving the area.

Smith provides ambulance service to about 14,800 residents living in the Twin Cities, Tuscarawas and the surrounding townships. During a 12-month period in 2018 and 2019, the company made around 1,500 runs. Of that number, 892 were in Uhrichsville, 274 in Dennison and 200 in Tuscarawas and Warwick Township.

At Thursday’s Uhrichsville council meeting, Bob Baker resigned as head of the ambulance committee with Haney taking his place after two other council members declined the position.

In other discussion at the meeting:

* Andre Donovan was recognized for his Golden Glove championship win. He placed sixth overall in the national finals.

* Uhrichsville Eagles will donate funds needed to repair the back of the Clay Museum building, estimates are being evaluated.

* The new police cruiser is being fitted for accessories and will be delivered soon.

* The restrooms in the Fire Department are being planned and drawn, bids will be sought for the work.

* Council approved opening an account at Menards for city use.

* The Medical Marijuana policy for city employees had it’s second reading.

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©2019 The Times-Reporter, New Philadelphia, Ohio

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