A judge has granted Geary County Commissioners’ request for a temporary injunction in an ongoing financial dispute over EMS services.
5th Judicial District Judge W. Lee Fowler made the ruling Thursday, preventing Junction City from suspending EMS services outside city limits, while also requiring Geary County to keep paying for the service. Judge Fowler is allowing the two government entities to continue negotiations or draft a new contract. Geary County Commission Chair Trish Giordano says she was pleased with Thursday’s ruling.
A long-standing contract requires Geary County to pay two-thirds of the cost, with Junction City paying the remaining third. The city owns and operates the EMS fleet. Giordano says the county has felt bullied by the city throughout the process.
The two sides have been far apart on negotiations for months, but Giordano says she’s optimistic that a deal can soon be reached.
Junction City was planning to suspend EMS services outside city limits on Feb. 20 if an agreement couldn’t be reached.
A status hearing is scheduled on the matter at 9:30 a.m. on April 3.
