WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS TABLE REQUEST FOR NEW EMS EQUIPMENT

Josh Blaschke July 24, 2018

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EMS Director Kevin Deramus at Tuesday's Commissioners meeting. He asked to table EMS's request for new equipment, as the department is still working on a contract with Stryker.

A request for new EMS equipment was tabled at today’s (Tuesday) Washington County Commissioners meeting.

EMS Director Kevin Deramus asked to set aside the motion because he says EMS is still working on the contract for the acquisition of a new LIFEPAK and LUCAS Chest Compression System.

County Attorney Renee Mueller is working on an affidavit for Stryker—a medical technologies firm based in Michigan—to be the sole source vendor for the equipment. Mueller says the state requires entities to complete affidavits if they do not apply for competitive bidding.

In other items, commissioners approved a request from Justice of the Peace Precinct 2, for purchase of a wireless document scanner from JP Technology. The office opted for one higher quality scanner—costing $330—instead of multiple scanners, in order to save on funding. Commissioner Kirk Hanath said he appreciated the JP’s office’s concern about overspending.

Commissioners also approved notices for two utility installations: one for an overhead electrical line on Nicholson Lake Road in Chappell Hill, and the other for an underground cable and inner-duct on Muske-Ullrich Road in Burton.

For the Chappell Hill installation, County Engineer Ross McCall said that the line Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative plans on installing will run along the right of way for about 60 people.

Commissioners also received monthly reports from EMS, District and County Clerks, Justice of the Peace, Auditor, Tax Assessor and Collector, Emergency Management Coordinator, Treasurer, Constables, and Fairgrounds Management.

Emergency Management Coordinator Bryan Ruemke said that he is coming close to finishing the city’s hazard mitigation plan. He expects it to be completed and submitted by the middle of August.

Commissioners began the meeting with a moment of silence for the late Frank Blizzard, a longtime community activist and former Washington County “Man of the Year”.

Several commissioners spoke of the impact Blizzard had on the county, with Commissioner Hanath saying he was a “very good steward”, and that he “gave way more than what he asked for.” Commissioner Don Koester said he was “very generous to seniors and youth”, and recalled the times where Blizzard would pay electrical bills of disadvantaged families.

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