The Junction City Commission unanimously agreed Tuesday to a counteroffer to Geary County regarding an ongoing dispute over EMS service payments.
The city is asking Geary County to withdraw a resolution that accompanied their last EMS service payment in November, instead asking for all 2023 EMS bills be paid by Feb. 16. As part of the counteroffer, Junction City would charge Geary County a flat fee of $165,000 per month in January and February, according to the motion by Commissioner Jeff Underhill.
The motion does not include any action to stop EMS service in rural areas of Geary County. Commissioner Ronna Larson says she wasn’t comfortable discontinuing service even if the county fails to meet a payment deadline.
City Manager Allen Dinkel is supportive of a flat rate for EMS costs and noted local rumors of possible cuts to city staff are not true.
Geary County Emergency Management Director Garry Berges spoke during public comment about the great working relationship first responders from both the city and county agencies have and asked the city to not jeopardize those services.
For decades the two government entities have split the EMS costs, with Junction City paying one-third of expenses and Geary County covering the remaining two-thirds.
The city’s decision Tuesday came one day after Geary County officials released a statement about the issue. That statement is available below.
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