IRONTON -- Jackson County has joined Athens County in voting to pull out of the Southeastern Ohio Emergency Medical Services ambulance district, leaving only Lawrence County in the district. However, both counties could rejoin the district before the end of the year if financial conditions improve.

Jackson County officials, in a letter Tuesday to the Lawrence County Board of Commissioners, said if the ambulance district is able to continue, Jackson County would reconsider and possibly remain with the 37-year-old district that currently serves all three counties. The three counties had to advance the district $385,000 earlier this year due to a cash flow problem.

Commission President Jason Stephens said Lawrence County will have a clearer idea of the district's financial picture next week after hearing from MedFlight, an emergency helicopter business from Columbus. Lawrence County also expects to hear from local officials about staying with the district. Stephens and Commissioner Doug Malone have been adamant about staying with the district if possible.

"We'll look at the financial situation next week," Stephens said Thursday in Ironton. "I think it's improving. It's better than it was this time last year. We're still looking out for the best interests of Lawrence County."

Obtaining Medicare and Medicaid provider numbers, securing agreements with commercial insurance companies and finding someone qualified to provide billing services are all reasons to stay with the district, Stephens said. Both Athens County and Jackson County will have to face those startup costs if they start their own county-backed ambulance services, he said.

Eric Kuhn, the district's executive director, said Athens County also could reconsider its position to leave.

In a letter to Jackson and Lawrence County officials, Kuhn said the district has the necessary revenue cycle and the ability to recover from its current financial situation.

"The district has worked on its billing problems," Stephens said. "Changes have been made."

The board also signed a two-year wage agreement with 48 employees in the Lawrence County Department of Job and Family Services. The employees don't get a raise, but will get a one-time payment of about $3,500 each. The workers also will see their deductible for health insurance increase from $500 to $1,000. New employees will have to pay 10 percent of health insurance costs.

In other action, Commissioner Les Boggs recommended that a section of Ohio 373 in the Dean State Forest be named for Lt. Col. Scott Evans of the Ohio Army National Guard. The board agreed to ask state highway officials to approve the change. Evans is a Lawrence County native. He retired from the National Guard last month.

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