Elyria committee votes to form EMS feasibility advisory panel

The Elyria Utility Safety and Environment Committee voted Wednesday to create a seven-member advisory committee to review recent emergency medical services feasibility work and recommend next steps as the city's Lifecare transport contract approaches its February expiration.

Councilman Brad Armstrong, who referred the item, said the city paid $69,000 for a recent study and urged officials not to let that work ‘‘sit on a shelf.’’ "We paid $69,000 for that," Armstrong said, arguing the report and a previous 2022 study should be used to develop a backup plan whether or not the city continues with Lifecare.

The committee will be advisory to full council. Members agreed the panel should include the safety-service director, the law director, the finance director, two council members and two community representatives; medical experts and fire department leaders may participate as invited experts or ex officio contributors. The motion to create the advisory committee was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote.

Fire Chief Pernesti described operational trade-offs the committee will need to study, including equipment and staffing. "Probably about $350,000 to $400,000" is the cost of a new ambulance, he said, and estimated a startup fleet would likely need roughly five vehicles to provide reliable, 24/7 coverage with reserves. Pernesti and other fire leaders told council that the committee could examine options ranging from using city employees under the fire department umbrella to contracting or leasing vehicles.

Committee members emphasized finances would drive any decision. Members asked staff to confirm calendar-year 2025 spending for EMS and to use the existing feasibility report as the starting point for deeper analysis. Assistant Chief Dean Marks said federal grants are a possible funding source and urged the committee to gather options before discussing taxes or levies.

The council president asked members to submit suggested community nominees to the clerk's office; full council is scheduled to consider the enabling legislation on Feb. 17, with the utilities committee expected to vet appointments afterward. The advisory committee will prepare a recommendation to council, not a binding decision; any budgetary or ballot proposal would require subsequent council action.

The committee concluded the discussion with the chair instructing members to provide names and moved to adjourn.