Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Olympia and Thurston County for Paramedic Services
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign the Intergovernmental Agreement with Thurston County for paramedic services.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a resolution authorizing the Intergovernmental Agreement with Thurston County for paramedic services.
Staff Contact:
Toby Levens, Supervisor III, Fire Department, 360.753.8431
Mike Buchanan, Assistant Fire Chief, Fire Department, 360.753.8459
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item
Background and Analysis:
Thurston County, through the offices of Medic One, and the City of Olympia have had an Agreement for paramedic services for more than 40 years. This contract reimburses the City for the costs of providing paramedics 24 hours a day on paramedic unit M-4 on the east side of the City and paramedic unit M-10 on the west side of the City. This Agreement continues a relationship between the City and the County that has served both parties very well.
The Intergovernmental Agreement was negotiated by the Fire Chiefs of the departments providing such services to the system; Fire Chief Mark John and Assistant Fire Chief Mike Buchanan negotiating for the City. The Agreement is essentially unchanged from the Agreement that has been in force for the last four years (2017 - 2020), except for authorizing one additional Paramedic position for reimbursement and allowing reimbursement for open positions. This new Agreement continues this interagency cooperation through 2022.
In 2019, Medic One made payments over $2,000,000 to the City of Olympia based on the terms of the Agreement. That amount will slightly increase in 2020 primarily due to increased labor costs.
The City of Tumwater and Thurston County Fire District 3 - Lacey have received similar Agreements involving the same terms as Olympia. All three Agreements were presented to the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners at their October 14, 2020 meeting for their signature.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
N/A
Options:
1. Approve the Resolution authorizing the Intergovernmental Agreement. Accept the terms of the Intergovernmental Agreement and authorize the City Manager to sign the Agreement.
a. The Fire Department will continue to provide paramedic services in Olympia and Thurston County.
b. Predictable stable revenue will continue to be collected from Thurston County for the provision of this important service.
2. Do not approve the Resolution authorizing the Intergovernmental Agreement and send back to staff.
a. Reimbursement for paramedic services in Olympia will be compromised until another contract can be negotiated.
b. Loss of paramedic response in Olympia.
c. Loss of revenue to the City of Olympia from Thurston County.
Financial Impact:
The contract details payments from Thurston County to the City of Olympia for paramedic service. This contract is expected to bring over $2,400,000 to the City in revenue for 2021, with increases based on labor cost for the remaining years of the contract.
Attachments:
Resolution
Intergovernmental EMS Contract