Lattimore said that having TLC handle ambulance work in Auburn has been “a no-cost situation” for the city.Â
“I would hope that you would postpone this decision for at least 20 days until the information gets back to us, the public,” he said to the council, noting that such information can reveal the severity of complaints.Â
Dr. Adam Duckett, Cayuga County coroner and chief medical officer of East Hill Medical Center in Auburn, also spoke and supported the city’s ambulance endeavor.Â
“It opens (the city) up to collaborations, working with other organizations in the community to bring federal taxpayer dollars to the community to help offset startup costs, and actually redefine how we deliver care,” he said.
Before the vote, Mayor Mike Quill asked Dygert if taxpayer funds would be used for the new service. Dygert replied it would be funded by service fees and “there will not be a tax that is used to maintain” the service.
Councilor Jimmy Giannettino asked Dygert if the city has any current concerns on TLC’s operations. Dygert said there been various times since the beginning of the year that TLC has “been unable to meet the needs within the city,” and mutual aid help had to be called. He said that happened 19 times in January, 28 in February, 27 in March, 36 calls in April and 61 in May.
