Spring Valley council members have increased pay for EMTs. | Pixabay
Spring Valley council members have increased pay for EMTs. | Pixabay
The Spring Valley City Council passed two resolutions last week including a raise in funding for EMTs.
The council approved Resolution 2020-31, which includes CARES Act funding for business relief, according to the Fillmore County Journal. The council also approved Resolution 2020-32, which dealt with the use of MIF exception money for daycare grants.
Council members attending included Luan Ruesink, Chris Danielson, Mike Hadland, John Dols, and Mayor Tony Archer. City administrator Deb Zimmer also attended.
The EMT call hours issue was front and center for council members.
Discussion of the issue began when Zimmer pointed out that two of the ambulance crew directors (Sue Puffer and Mike Zimmer) have picked up excess hours and there has been some concern regarding burnout.
“I will say this, trying that for a dollar an hour is a small price for us as a city to pay to try to get some others to step up to keep our ambulance service," Dols said.
Zimmer was asked a question regarding the cost increase if the EMT rate increase was implemented and she replied it would cost $8,000 to $10,000 more annually. The rate increase was passed by council.
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