Agreement in Place in Ambulance, County Board Dispute

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Published on March 20 2017 6:47 pm
Last Updated on March 20 2017 6:51 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

An agreement is in place in the dispute that led to a lawsuit by Altamont Ambulance Service against the Effingham County Board, and a countersuit by the Board against the Ambulance Service.

Local attorney Chris Koester, who has represented the County Board in the case, said, "An agreement is in place; we just need everyone present for signing the agreement. There will be an announcement when it will take place." Koester consulted with Eric Walter, attorney for Altamont Ambulance, in issuing the statement.

Negotiations on a settlement have continued even as the case has dragged through the courts. Altamont Ambulance, that also does business as Effingham City-County Ambulance Service, filed suit in 2014 after the Board passed a measure allowing other ambulance services to share in the transfers of patients, while leaving emergency calls to Altamont Ambulance. The County Board countersued, alleging violations by the ambulance service of the contract in place with the County.

A tentative settlement was announced in recent weeks. That reportedly has been fleshed out and is to the satisfaction of all parties involved.