It was a standing room only when the Marshall County Board of County Commissioners held a monthly meeting on August 5. There were so many agenda items, almost the entire alphabet was represented.
Bre Eppler, the Wellness Coordinator for the Marshall County Health Department was on hand to bring the board up to speed on the additions to Food Retail Resolution — a resolution signed to help give residents access to healthier food options. There will be trailers selling produce that will set up at the old thrifty center, 1 W. Burney St. in Madill.
Also, the department is implementing a “Eat Local Tuesdays” program. This program is getting local restaurants to offer affordable, healthy lunch options. Eppler said there are a few restaurants starting the program, and a a few others that needs things amended.
“We have eight restaurants participating,” Eppler said. “However, Kingston only has one restaurant participating. The other two said Thursdays.”
Eppler said due to that request, they are looking at possibly implementing “Eat Local Thursdays.”
Mary Hale of the Office of the Commissioners suggested an implementation of a new protocol in the instance that a citizen is hurt on courthouse grounds. She said a lady was injured, and it brought into question the lack of protocols in case somebody is injured.
“I think if somebody is hurt, security should call an ambulance,” Hale said. “Then, I would give them the claim to fill out and turn in.”
Hale also thinks the wording in the policy amendment should be very specific. If the resident decides to ride in the ambulance, they will be responsible for any and all fees accrued.
The commissioners agreed.
“We need a policy on this, some kind of protocol in place,” District Three Commissioner Chris Duroy said.
District Two Commissioner Josh Cantrell said the policy needs to clear.
“When they fill out the incident report, it needs to be spelled out for them,” he said.
Marshall County Sheriff Danny Cryer agrees, but said he thinks too much emphasis is being put on the financial side of the issue.
“This is my concern if we start making policies on when to call and when not to call an ambulance,” Cryer said. “If your wife trips and land on the pavement at the bottom, are we going to bicker on if EMS should be called or not.”
Hale replied, “That’s what I’m saying, they should be called out every time.”
Cryer rebutted, “We just need to deal with the issue that’s there and not worry about the finances, that’s two months down the road when the bills start rolling in. We’re not responsible for it till the Torque claim comes in.”
Cantrell asked if the resident will be forced to stay till EMS arrives.
Cryer replied, “no, we’re going to use common sense.”
Cryer said they will check with the injured party to see if they think they need an ambulance or not, then go from there. The board approved the motion to add the protocol.
Roy Methany from the EMS board approached the proverbial podium to voice his concern over transport costs by ambulance from one hospital to another.
“I am the oldest new kid on the EMS board,” Methane said with a laugh. He informed the board that they are losing revenue because of indigent and non-payment.
In 2017, the board measured a loss of more than $97,000, and more than $86,000 for 2018. This is akin to an extra employee, or new equipment. Methany said the problem is no accountability. Medicare and Medicaid will pay for the initial transfer from a residence to a hospital facility but will not pay to transfer to a separate facility.
Duroy mentioned he would speak with Representative Tommy Hardin to inquire about legislature increasing the millage — rates used to compute property tax.
Four agenda items concerned Alliance Health, formally known as Marshall County HMA, LLC. Three of the agenda items were tabled until the agenda item requesting the requisition of an attorney to handle the contracts concerning Alliance was discussed. The board approved the agenda item to afford the opportunity to seek council to read over and draw up contracts concerning Alliance.