Committee blocks plan to replace Med 1 with grant funds; EMS leaders warn of spending deadline

During the June 5 meeting of the Marquette County Judicial & Public Safety Committee, EMS Director Rob Lulling and Assistant EMS Director Jordan Powell reviewed recent grant awards, equipment purchases and staffing needs and proposed a fleet reconfiguration that would use grant funds to replace Med 1.

Lulling said he received $119,000 in grants in 2024 and 2025, and that unspent capital grant funds likely will not be available in 2026 unless spent by September; he said the grant dollars must be spent on capital purchases. He presented quotes to replace a 2013 Tahoe with a newer Durango or Tahoe and explained that if Med 1 is replaced the current Med 1 would become Car 1 and the then-current Car 1 would be sold at auction. Lulling also reported that EMS and Assistant Director Jordan Powell have acquired equipment through grants totaling $728,000, and that the department added medications Keppra, Ancef and Risperdal to ambulances after training.

Supervisor Lance Achterberg moved to purchase and replace Med 1 using grant funds, with Mary Walters seconding. The motion failed 2–3 (yes: Lance Achterberg, Mary Walters; no: Judi Nigbor, Peggy Krause, Chuck Bornhoeft). Assistant EMS Director Jordan Powell reviewed each capital need and said at this time the items have already been covered by grant funds.

Corporation Counsel issued a legal opinion about Administrator authority related to the EMS Waushara contract; the opinion noted canceling the contract would require certified mailing. The committee agreed to place the matter on the July agenda so Administrator Barger and representatives from the Town of Crystal Lake, Town of Neshkoro and Village of Neshkoro can attend and discuss the contract.

Medical Examiner Amanda Thoma reported there were 10 deaths in May for Marquette County; that statistic was recorded in the meeting minutes during the department reports.

Next steps recorded in the minutes include placing the EMS–Waushara contract discussion on the July agenda for further review and monitoring grant spending to meet the September spending deadline.