By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
According to New Richland City Clerk Wayne Billing, there is no conspiracy.
There are no plans to shut down the local ambulance service, replace it, or hire a new director.
At least that’s the version of the story coming out of city hall.
It became an issue after the Oct. 14 meeting of the New Richland City Council, when ambulance director Chris Schlaak asked the council why she keeps hearing rumors about her department being shut down or replaced. She also wanted to know why $12,000 is budgeted in 2020 for an ambulance director since she makes only $4,000 per year.
“The $12,000 is the same as it has been since 2014,” said Billing. “That’s the amount budgeted.”
If it’s not spent, said Billing, it goes into the city’s general fund.
The only reason the local ambulance service would be replaced was if it were to fold for any reason, according to Billing.
How could that happen?
“The only thing I would see that would take it down is if they don’t have enough people to cover it,” said Billing. “That’s the critical part. Do we have enough people?”
Billing said the current ambulance operates with 12 to 15 people, which he called “just barely minimum.”
As far as the rumors of shutting down or replacing the ambulance service, Billing said he doesn’t know how they got started.
“I have no knowledge of anything like that,” said Billing. “There’s no movement afoot to get rid of the ambulance. There’s been no talk about getting rid of the ambulance.”
Schlaak brought up other issues at the last council meeting, including alleged misconduct by members of the city’s fire and rescue crew. The council has not addressed those questions.