Changing hands

After researching the issue, Kara Ellsbury, attorney for the board of trustees, announced on Thursday that it does appear to be legally possible for the City of Sundance to hand over its three ambulances to Crook County Medical Services District as a donation.

“The city can donate the ambulances to the hospital district because we are both political subdivisions,” Ellsbury told the board, asking for comments as to whether the district would like to receive those ambulances.

“Why not? Yes,” was the ultimate response from Chairman Mark Erickson. Trustee Connie Lindmier pointed out that, if their condition renders them unusable, they can still be used as trade for replacement vehicles.

The city can now make the decision as to whether it would like to donate the ambulance, Ellsbury said. The lease to rent space from the city for the ambulances is a separate issue, she continued, and there appears to be no reason not to move ahead with it.

The lease has already been approved by the board, Ellsbury said, so there was no need for further action at Thursday’s meeting. “The ball is in the city’s court,” she said.

Trustee Sandy Neiman asked what will be happening to the approximately $30,000 the city has saved for ambulance expenses, which originally came from contributions to the ambulance service from the county commissioners. Ellsbury will reach out to enquire on this matter.