Increase to ambulance budget approved for paramedic

WORLAND — The Washakie County commissioners listened to a request from Washakie County Ambulance Director Luke Sypherd for a potential increase to the ambulance department’s budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.

The original county budget includes $37,000 for the department, but Sypherd was seeking an increase to the budget in order to gauge options to hire either more part-time help, seek a partnership with other agencies to have a paramedic on site to help due to rising ambulance calls.

If there is a paramedic on staff, the ambulance service would be able to increase charges for services because of the higher training for paramedics and the additional services that can be performed a paramedic. Sypherd was granted a budget increase to $60,000 in order to explore options regarding a paramedic on staff.

Sypherd also informed the commissioners that some of their COVID-19 equipment is unable to be ordered at this time, and until such time as they can be ordered he cannot seek a reimbursement for the cost of the equipment through the state.

Commissioner Fred Frandson informed Sypherd to look into the potential of receiving money through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in order to cover first responders’ salaries as he had heard of other counties around the country receiving such funding.

OTHER BUSINESS

In other business Tuesday:

•The commissioners approved a right-of-way easement for RT Communications to place more fiber-optic cable around Airport Road.

•In the road and bridge report, Keith Bower reported that they are going to add more dirt and gravel onto the outlet side of Cherry Creek and County Road 82 in order to help trucks turn easier.

Bower also informed the board that there is a culvert to replace on County Road 13, and he wants to fix holes on Road 11.

•County Planner David Anderson informed the board that he anticipates a proposal from Rattlesnake Fencing for the Lower Nowood fencing project that is being done in coordination with the Bureau of Land Management. The county’s portion of the project will run over approximately 2.5 miles of private property.

Anderson also informed the commissioners he will begin to work on a plan to put six culverts on County Road 580.

•Anderson also informed the commissioners that he intends to send a letter to Cole Smith regarding his early construction on the Red Vista Village subdivision. As there has only been a sketch plan submitted, there is not supposed to be any construction done on site until a subdivision permit is approved by the zoning and planning commission.

•Tom Schmeltzer of building maintenance discussed with the commissioners whether or not they needed to purchase plexiglass to place in the food booths at the Washakie County Fairgrounds to act as sneeze guards during the fair. The commissioners agreed that Schmeltzer should purchase five sheets for a cost around $500.

Schmeltzer said that the plexiglass may be stored after the fair if there is no additional use for it after the conclusion of the fair. He also asked the commissioners for guidance in getting truckloads of dirt out to the fairgrounds in anticipation of the monster truck show on Saturday, Aug. 1. Schmeltzer was seeking the dirt to help build jumps that may be needed, and have clean dirt for easy cleanup after the event.

Schmeltzer also informed the commissioners that he received two four-wheelers from the Washakie County Sheriff’s Office and Search and Rescue, and informed them that he was attempting to get them into working order for use. Once he has them working he would like to place a snowblade on one for use at the courthouse.

The commissioners met in executive/closed session to discuss personnel with Schmeltzer.