LINN  —  Osage Ambulance District board members approved a measure at last week’s meeting to begin collecting signatures by petition with hopes to place a question on the August ballot.

Administrator Josh Krull explained that the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and the district’s attorney, EMS Legal Services, recommended the move to solidify coverage in the area as Comm-UNITY will cease operations as of June 1.

“We’re on a short timeline here to get the signatures we need to put this on the ballot,” said Krull, noting OAD must submit the petition to County Clerk Nicci Kammerich by May 30. “We need 50 people in the area to sign the petition, and our attorney should have it ready for circulation soon.”

The area we have agreed to cover is the northern portion of Comm-UNITY’s zone and includes most of the Westphalia Fire Protection District’s coverage area.

“We are already providing service to a majority of that area and are in a good position to cover that area, so it makes sense to make it official,” said Krull. “MOAD will cover the area to the south and into Meta since they are better positioned to serve that area. We are always willing to help in whatever capacity is needed to ensure that patients receive the best life-saving service should things change down the road, but this has been the agreement between everyone thus far.”

Krull added that coverage will be provided between June 1 and the time it will take for an annexation but OAD’s long-term goal is to make this area part of the district. “We want it to be fair to everyone in our coverage area,” he noted.

After the petition is submitted, county commissioners will have to vote to approve it for inclusion on the ballot.

In other business at last week’s meeting, board members approved the purchase of a used ambulance to replace a unit that is down again for repairs.

Krull noted the 2008 Ford E-450 6.0 diesel with approximately 87,000 miles will fetch $13,500 in a trade deal on the 2018 Dodge 4500, a Type 1 four-wheel-drive truck, which will cost $80,000.

“We are trading in a truck that has been used for transfers and has had a lot of challenges with the engine and electronics for a much more reliable truck,” said Krull, noting the Dodge has 120,000 miles.

OAD will complete the transaction with Osage Ambulances, which will put the district’s decals in place as part of the deal.

“We appreciate Osage Ambulances working with us on this,” said Krull. “They’ll handle everything, and we should have the truck in service in a few weeks.”

• OAD renewed its yearly contract with EMS Legal Services, which is on retainer for $950.

• Board members were reelected to their current positions, with Bob Goodenough continuing as president, Doug Schreiman as VP, and the EMS Chief serving as secretary/treasurer.

• Krull told the board that he and both supervisors were on hand following the April 16 EF-2 tornado that hit the Vichy area. The 6.8-mile path from west to east created road blockages and destroyed one home. Krull said five ambulances were sent, but no transports were made.

“We had a good response to this event,” said Krull. “Everyone did a great job.”

OAD used its utility truck and UTV to help when ambulances could not navigate around blocked areas.

• An accident on Hwy. 42 involving a 2022 Ford E-450 ambulance has sidelined the truck for repairs. Krull said the other driver was cited for failure to yield and is being held responsible for the accident.

“We’re working with the insurance company to get this truck repaired as soon as possible,” Krull added, noting the vehicle could be totaled for $90,000, and the district could purchase another truck.

Instead, at least $30,000 in damages must be addressed, and the truck is at Moonlight Dent in Linn.

In his report, Krull noted that in April, the district had an income of $349,224.99, of which service fees totaled $246,039.84. Expenses were reported at $251,126.49 for a net gain of $98,098.50.

• The checking account balance as of April 30 was $289,802.70, and the money market account balance on the same date was $136,484.18.

• Krull introduced a new investment report showing OAD has $700,400 invested in certificates of deposit through Edward Jones in Linn.

• Krull reported 341 calls in April, including 139 transfers, 184 emergencies, and 18 standbys.