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By VICKI URBANIK A new committee is now in place with the dual purpose of planning for the county’s ambulance protection once the current contract expires and with planning for fire coverage in the unincorporated areas in the event of a county takeover of township duties. At the recommendation of Porter County Commissioner President Robert Harper, the commissioners on Tuesday formed a study committee consisting of County Attorney Gwenn Rinkenberger, County Council member Laura Blaney, and Porter hospital EMS Director Gary Atherton. One of the committee’s two areas of study will be to plan for fire protection in the unincorporated areas, a duty now overseen by township trustees. At least one bill is pending in the Indiana Legislature that would abolish the township level of government and transfer township duties to counties, as recommended by a state local government reform report. Other township duties that might fall to counties would be poor relief and township cemetery and senior center maintenance. When asked if the county should plan in these areas as well, Harper said at some point, the county would need to decide who would handle these responsibilities, noting that the poor relief program in particular would be a large responsibility that could necessitate a new county department. Harper said he would hope that if lawmakers do abolish township government, that they give counties at least one year to prepare for the transition. However, he also noted that the elimination of township assessors took effect quickly, just a few months after the bill became law. North Porter County Commissioner John Evans said if townships are eliminated, the fire departments that now contract with townships for fire protection would need to know quickly how the change would impact them. The committee’s other main task is to address the county’s ambulance service, which is now provided through Porter hospital’s Emergency Medical Services. The county government pays Porter hospital $500,000 a year to provide the service, but the contract is due to expire in 2011. The issue was a topic during last year’s county elections, when a number of candidates said the county needs to begin planning in the event that Porter hospital doesn’t want to continue its contract. Harper said indications are that the hospital will want to continue the service, but noted that funding issues are involved. “I think we should at least do some future planning,” he said, adding that the hospital is eager to talk with the county about the issue. Evans said the county owes Porter hospital gratitude for providing the ambulance service for less than what it cost the county about 15 years ago. He said that the county’s initial cost of about $800,000 increased to $1 million when the hospital took over the service, but then after the Bethlehem Steel bankruptcy and the resulting budget cuts, the annual subsidy was cut to $500,000 and has stayed the same since. Evans praised the idea of forming a study committee to deal with both the firefighting and the EMS issue, saying that it “shows forethought on our part.” Appointments Also Tuesday, the commissioners made board appointments that were tabled from their last meeting. Reappointed to the Porter County Health Board were Dr. John Forchetti and Marilyn Johns. South County Commissioner Carole Knoblock appointed Pat Jackson as her representative to the Porter County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission. She replaces Sylvia Graham, who is now on the county council. Harper reappointed Gloria Read as his PCCRVC representative. At the recommendation of Evans, the commissioners also appointed the following to the Porter County Wildlife Management Advisory Board: Dr. Larry McAfee, Mary Ann Zona Gregg, Melissa Culbertson, Robert Helmick, Linda Knopic, and Glenn Wiles. All have served on the wildlife board in the past except for Helmick and Knopic, both of whom have been volunteers for the board. Dottie Kostka was also reappointed as an ex-officio member.
Posted 1/21/2009 |
