IRON COUNTY — The mayors of six Iron County communities launched a petition Friday to help guage public opinion about the possible privatization of the Iron County Ambulance Service.
Connie Robinson, president of the Iron County Coordinating Council and mayor of Paragonah, said she has received so many calls from citizens concerned about the ambulance service that she and other Iron County mayors decided to launch a petition to give county residents an opportunity to have their voices heard.
“They haven’t had a chance to voice their opinions,” Robinson said.
The petition, titled “Save the Iron County Ambulance Service,” was created Dec. 19. It was originally going to be submitted to the commissioners Tuesday. However the date has been changed to early January to allow residents more time to sign, Robinson said.
In a November meeting of the Iron County Coordinating Council, the mayors met with the Iron County Commission and voiced their concerns about the possible privatization of the county’s ambulance service.
Later that week, the mayors drafted a letter calling for the Commission to consider giving the Iron County Sheriff’s Office a trial period similar to one that has been offered to a private entity bidding for the ambulance service. The letter is from the mayors of Brian Head, Cedar City, Enoch, Kanarraville, Paragonah and Parowan.
Robinson is also coordinating with other mayors to get hard copies of the petition posted in communities throughout the county. Robinson said that currently, hard copies are only available at the Paragonah post office, but that community members should watch for other locations in the coming days.
While the mayors believe the people have not had a chance to voice their opinion, Iron County Commissioner Alma Adams said he has not received much public feedback about the issue via email or phone call.
“I’ve probably had more interaction concerning this from people I run into,” Adams said, “But I’m not finding enough people that are concerned enough to actually send an email or call. They just kind of engage me about it when I run into them.”
Residents are invited to contact commissioners to share any concerns or opinions on the matter, using the email addresses or phone numbers listed on the Iron County website, Adams said.
Adams said he is looking forward to seeing the results of the petition, and that the commission is carefully considering all the options available.
“We are still happy to take input,” Adams said. “We’re going to be making a decision fairly soon.”
The three entities bidding on the ambulance service will be submitting updated bids to the commission Tuesday, Adams said. These new bids should contain approximate dollar figures, giving the commissioners a better idea of what each entity brings to the table.
As of 6 p.m. on the date of this publication, the online petition has received 375 signatures, with the goal of reaching 500 before it is submitted.
Resources
- Save the Iron County Ambulance Service | Petition
- Iron County Commissioners | Contact Information
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- Commission hears final 2 groups seeking to take over ambulance service
- Commission, Classic Lifeguard discuss possible future of Iron County Ambulance
- Mayors, commission discuss future of Iron County Ambulance
- Commission discusses bid proposals, concerns for the ambulance service
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Iron County has a population of nearly 50,000 residents. With more than 15 festivals or other tourist events a transient population of more than five times that amount frequents Iron County.
Iron County is home to the only north-south route from Canada to Mexico (I-15). Just to the north is the start of I-70, a major east-west route spanning from Cove Fort to Baltimore on the east coast. Commerce and tourism destined along these routes will likely pass through Iron County. If you include motorists, the population surpasses a million and perhaps even more people.
According to Iron County 2015 budget proposal (Iron County web site), revenues from Iron County Ambulance are projected at $1.6 million. Expenses are projected at $1.4 million. Actuaries have been reported to be in the neighborhood of $210,000.00 annually (avg). The public has been told of a 2.1 million dollar deficit over ten years. These figures don’t match. According to their own figures there is a projected surplus for 2015 budget!
Notwithstanding the figures and assuming a $210,000.00 annual deficit, seems to me that Iron County residents and visitors are getting quality pre-hospital care at the cost of about 21 cents a day. ($210,000/1,000,000). Quite a bargain. One can argue visitors should not be included in data. Why not? They are likely the single largest group that pay claims for service as most claims involve MVA with insurance. Others are travelers that often have resources that include health insurance.
ICA appears to be a VERY valuable asset to all those that live, work and visit Iron County. I urge you to consider signing the petition intended to encourage the Iron County Commission to keep ICA and its very capable work force as a community owned and operated service. Iron County is your community. Get involved before it is too late. Send an e-mail or make a call to Iron COunty Commission.
” If you include motorists, the population surpasses a million and perhaps even more people.”
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Your leap of mathematical logic left @Bender’s head spinning.
So call Mr. Alma Adams at (435) 477-3574 home, and (435) 559-3574 listed on Iron County Website! Email him at oh wait a minute. He doesn’t list an email addy, it is just a form you fill out. Not that it is going to make any difference. The decision has already been made. Something to remember at election time for ALL of the county commissioners.
Those fellas at Gold Cross are slicker than snot on a doorknob. Something tells me they will find a way to screw the good folks of Iron County, just like they did with the people of Washington County.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all our neighbors in Iron County
State Senator and lawyer Steve Urquhart is counsel of record who represents Gold Cross. He is the one responsible for Gold Cross taking over Washington county ambulance service.
As IN THE GAME states above, it is as good and done. Gold Cross WILL be the ambulance provider in Iron County. “Those fells (really Mr. Urquhart) is slicker than … on a doorknob” Urquhart is AS slick and slimey as …. Good luck Iron County residents. Urquharts hand has been greased and pockets properly filled.
Ed. ellipses.
Yea but as the republicans say, private is always better. Don’t want no big gubmunt runnin’ things. So some folks wanna make some millions running the private ambulance service, what’s wrong with that? we aint communists is we? $5000 a mile–that will be the price…
This sounds like a repeat of ST. George. If the County Commission selects Gold Cross, I would replace every one of them. “Sen” Urqhart has a conflict of interest in the deal, and refuses to acknowledge it. Remember when election time comes around and replace him with someone who has a moral and ethical backbone. If you keep him, you will get the same old thing as you always had.
OldArmyVet is right on. Don’t let Urqhart lead you into an IHC/Gold Cross takeover. St George did and two things are certain; 1) ambulance costs will rise, and 2) Urqhart must go.
Just another good ole boy circle. Why else is Urqhart involved?
Big conflict of interest. Very sad this is tolerated. Very little press about gold cross not wanting certain areas of Washington county. Ok coverage on reducing the number of ambulances promised.