City signs EMS agreement with County, Morrill County hospital

SIDNEY -- In April of this year, Regional West notified Cheyenne County it will not be renewing the agreement to provide emergency medical services. Their last day of service, according to the notification, was June 30, 2023.

On June 27, the Sidney City Council approved an agreement with Cheyenne County and Morrill County Community Hospital for EMS services beginning July 1.

Following the notice from Regional West, Cheyenne County published a request for proposals for any agency interested in continuing the service. Two proposal were submitted: one by Morrill County Community Hospital (MCCH) and one from Priority Services of Lexington Regional Health Center.

Shannon Odiet, representing the MCCH proposal, said because of the tight time line, the hospital could not fund purchasing additional ambulances. The Cheyenne County Commissioners and Sidney City Manager David Scott and Finance Director Lane Kizzire met in executive session in a commissioners meeting. After the executive session, Commissioner Randy Miller announced a proposal to offer MCCH financing of $200,000, backed by the City and County, at zero percent interest, to be paid back over five years. 

The option would be for the City and County to contract with Priority, who presented a contract with $75,000 payments to the company quarterly.