Ambulance service transition nearly complete

WORLAND – The volunteer Washakie County Ambulance Service (WCAS) is nearing the end of its transition period as the service is anticipating the takeover by Cody Regional Health (CRH) to be completed by May 1.

The WCAS along with the Washakie County Commissioners reached a three-year agreement year back in late January 2021with CRH at a cost of $195,000.

Current WCAS Director Luke Sypherd came before the commissioners at their meeting on Tuesday, April 6, to discuss the current status of the transition, and confirm to the commissioners that he would have to resign as a county employee at the end of April in order to become a CRH employee.

Sypherd said that there have been three full-time paramedics currently hired by CRH as well as local personnel at this time.

The commissioners also were told of that WCAS Claims Manager Sandy Beck would be in charge of the ambulance enterprise account along with the commissioners after the transition.

DISPATCH RESERVE

Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the commissioners held a discussion regarding transferring $100,000 out of the dispatch reserve fund to help offset budget issues this upcoming year. This discussion was with Worland Mayor Jim Gill, Worland Clerk/Treasurer Tracy Glanz, Washakie County Sheriff Steve Rakness, Worland Police Chief Gabe Elliott, Worland Fire Chief Chris Kocher and County Attorney John Worrall.

This funding would be split based on the percentages that each entity puts into the reserve fund which would equal $50,000 from the city funds, $43,000 from the county and $7,000 to the Worland Fire Protection District No. 1 Board of Trustees. The commissioners agreed to this transfer to help offset part of the dispatch budget, but must be agreed upon by the other two entities.

The commissioners along with the other officials also discussed raising the minimum amount for the account up to $150,000 as an increased safety net due to the rising cost of technology. The increase was suggested by Rakness. The account currently has $260,000 before $20,000 is taken out to pay for the additional work to be done by Washakie County Emergency Management Assistant Director/Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Hazen.

With the additional $100,000 taken out there is expected to be another $10,000-$12,000 put into the account which would put the account right at the minimum $150,000 to start the 2021-22 fiscal year.

LIBRARY UPDATE

The commissioners approved a bid from The Library Store for $268,056.91 for new furniture in the future Washakie County Library.

The approved bid included an installation cost of approximately $60,000 which Tom Schmeltzer of building maintenance said he would be able to assemble the items should the commissioners believe they can negotiate that item with The Library Store.

Schmeltzer and the commissioners also discussed how long they anticipate it would take to move all of the items from the current library to the new one, and without volunteer help they expect it will take around a month with the library shut down.

Schmeltzer anticipates that they will be moving the library around the time of the Washakie County Fair, and he is looking for volunteers in the area to help with fair and the moving of the library.

The commissioners also discussed with Washakie County Library Director Karen Funk the possibility of seeking grants to help offset costs of the furniture.

Chairman Commissioner Fred Frandson said he had heard of a family wanting to help pay for an adult reading room in the library in honor of a relative but did not provide more information on the subject.

OTHER BUSINESS

In other business:

•The commissioners accepted a bid by S & L Industrial for $39,982.24 to do the striping on Lower Nowood Road, with an alternate bid of $26,100 to include signs for the project. The bid must now go to the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) for additional approval before the project begins.

•The commissioners approved a motion to send the certification of project completion of the Washakie Medical Center renovation to Zion Bank Corporation National Association.

•Keith Bower of road and bridge said that they are working to get roads graded and filling in potholes at this time.

•Schmeltzer said that the Washakie County Fairgrounds are currently cleaned and mostly booked every weekend up until the fair in July.

•The commissioners approved contracts with the Department of Health and Family Services along with WYO Help to administer money through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).

•The commissioners approved the Wildland Fire Management Annual Operating Plan for 2021.

•The commissioners entered into executive session twice to discuss potential litigation with Worrall.