NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County EMS received approval this week for more money from the county to put a new building in Arlington.
"The last time I was here on this project, we were given a cap of $610,000," said Dave Johnston with Reno County EMS. "We've contracted out with Landmark Architecture on that and have initial designs back, which you're able to view. The cost came back higher. We understand it's not out of line with other projects of this size. We're originally concerned with costs upwards of $300 per square foot. The request is to move the lid on this up to $750,000, and that number includes a buffer. You'll see the estimate that came back from Landmark, about $715,000. We have another $10,000 to $15,000 going towards land. What this allows us to do, if we have that cap that we're able to operate within, we'll go out to bid right away with this so we can get the project moving. I do want to just reassure you that we've been a good steward of the funds given to us."
Reno County EMS has been able to use facilities in the western part of the county effectively thus far.
"I actually just happen to have response numbers for that out there, and we've done very well, so 67 responses out in the Arlington area," Johnston said. "Our response time has been 3.7 minutes on average, and that's down from six minutes last year, and the reason is we're keeping that unit in Arlington unless we run out of trucks."
It's not the intent of the hospital to go up to the cap, in any case.
"When we get some final plans, we'll be able to surely do some looking," said Reno County Commissioner Don Bogner.
"I feel the same way that they can, once you get the final plans, you can decide upon what quality of what goes into that," said Reno County Commissioner Ron Hirst. "You can decide where the cost savings could be, but still be have some longevity to the interior."
The four commissioners in attendance all voted for the additional authority.