Dateline: September 23, 2004

Ambulance bill draws city's attention 

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

An ambulance bill sent to a Clarendon volunteer fireman raised the hackles of city aldermen during their regular meeting last Tuesday.

Fireman Jason Christopher was treated for smoke inhalation while fighting the July 9, 2004, blaze that destroyed the home of George and Dixie Howard, according to City Administrator Sean Pate. Christopher was transported to Amarillo, was treated and released, and was back at his regular job as a city employee the next day, Pate said.

Christopher has since received a bill from the Associated Ambulance Authority for $1,214. Of that, Christopher’s health insurance through the city paid $521, leaving him with a balance of $693.

Pate said he had spoken with Donley County Hospital District Administrator Alan Graham about the bill but had been able to get the bill reduced or forgiven.

Alderman Michael Tibbets said that it did not appear the hospital district was working with the city on the issue.

Alderman Janice Knorpp also criticized the authority for the amount of the bill.

“As far as I’m concerned, charging $8.25 per mile is ridiculous,” she said.

Alderman Tommy Hill, who also volunteers for the ambulance service, urged his fellow board members not to take any action on the issue until authority director Anita Aaron, who had been out of town, could look at the issue.

In the meantime, the aldermen agreed that the bill, whether it was right or not, should appropriately be sent to the city and not to an individual fireman. They therefore directed Pate to send a letter to the Associated Ambulance Authority requesting the bill be reissued in the city’s name.

As of Tuesday morning, Pate said the issue was not resolved.

In other business, Wesley Smith addressed the board and expressed his desire to put a “stationary doublewide” on property currently owned by Gary Hunt in the west part of town. Alderman took no action since the item wasn’t on the agenda.

Depository bids were reviewed from Herring National Bank and the Donley County State Bank. Herring has been the city’s depository for the last six years.

“I think we need to rotate this business for the benefit of a small community,” Tibbets said, noting that the two bids were very close.

Alderman Tommy Hill disagreed and said, “I think we were elected to do the best with the taxpayers’ money, and Herring National Bank’s offer is a little better deal.”

Aldermen selected Herring on 3-1-1 vote (Tibbets opposed, Knorpp abstained).

The budgets of the city and the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation were approved as presented, and the board considered Ordinance 143, which governs building permits in the city. The board will consider changing permit fees at its next meeting September 28.