County likely to build Hillsboro ambulance station
Staff writer
A planned new ambulance station in Hillsboro is likely to be built much earlier than the five-year target set by the city of Hillsboro.
County commissioners decided they weren’t interested in waiting for Hillsboro’s offer to build, in five years after Hillsboro has paid off bonds, a public safety center that would include housing for two ambulances and sleeping rooms for on-duty emergency medical services personnel.
Hillsboro city administrator Larry Paine spoke to commissioners a week ago, after becoming aware the county was considering buying a former gun shop in Hillsboro to convert to sleeping quarters and building a two-bay garage for ambulances.
Commissioners at that time asked him to return this week with a letter outlining Hillsboro’s plan. The letter restated what Paine had earlier told commissioners about the city’s plan.
Commissioner Randy Dallke said he’s interested in promoting teamwork, but said Paine’s letter didn’t persuade him.
“Right now I’m just trying to move forward for our own people,” Dallke said. “I think there’s a lot of people in Hillsboro they have to please, too.”
Commission chairman Jonah Gehring said Hillsboro’s offer would save the county $125,000.
Jonah called for a 10-minute executive session to discuss the proposed real estate purchase. When the meeting resumed, commissioners instructed emergency medical services director Travis Parmley to bring more information to the next meeting.