The county commission last week approved the transfer of the Med-Trans contract to ICare, with two requirements – that payroll is covered beginning immediately and that the commission has the right to approve the director recommended by ICare for the Polk County service. ICare was the only bidder in U.S. bankruptcy court for the ambulance service, which has contracts with Polk and McMinn counties. Approval of both counties is needed for ICare to finalize the takeover.

Last week’s Med-Trans payroll was met with no bounced checks in Polk County, with help from ICare, and employees are reportedly happy. The McMinn County Commission approved the transfer on Monday night.

The commission had to respond to the bankruptcy court by Jan. 12, so a special meeting was held last week. The court will meet Jan. 14 to make a final decision on whether to allow ICare to take over the ailing company.

Ronnie Patterson, who has been hired as vice president of operations for ICare said he did not think there would be a problem with commission approval of the local director. ICare originally planned to keep owners Bruce and Darnita Collins, but Patterson told the commission Collins had already been told they would no longer be working in Polk County. He added he was not aware of the payroll problems under the current administration, adding “one thing you don’t do is mess with the employees.”

Patterson and several commissioners praised the staff for continuing to make ambulance runs even though paychecks had bounced. He said he would have to check with the main office to see if they would be willing to guarantee last week’s payroll even though they are not in charge but added that Bruce and Darnita have already been challenged to come up with the money. Logan said the provision in the commission’s motion should be an added incentive for Med-Trans to cover payroll. County Executive Mike Stinnett said he had provided half of this month’s payment to Med-Trans early to help cover payroll, noting nine employees had gone since Dec. 23 before their check cleared.

Patterson said ICare’s goal is to provide a better ambulance service for Polk County, noting Med-Trans was once one of the best in the state but had faltered the past few years. He said he will make the decisions that need to be made while adding he believes in caring for the employees. “That’s what these folks have missed,” he noted. He said existing employees would remain at their jobs as long as they are willing to follow ICare’s vision and core values of integrity, compassion, accountability, respect and empathy. He said the current director would stay in that position and will be more accountable than in the past. “I won’t micro-manage Polk County,” he said, adding he will be here when needed and wanted. “You have a great management team,” he said.

Isaac (Buster) Bramblett said several employees had quit Med-Trans because of the problems and asked for assurance they would be reviewed without prejudice for future openings. Patterson said anybody in the county would be considered first for openings

Patterson said he has been assured there will be the financial means to growth the ICare team throughout Tennessee. He said a payroll firm will be used to handle direct deposit of paychecks and there will be separate accounts for Polk and McMinn, which is not the case now.

Mark Bishop noted that Med-Trans had two secured creditors – a bank and the IRS. He asked what would happen to the unsecured creditors, which include some local businesses. Logan said the proposed order by the bankruptcy court does not include around $60,000 in other claims. Patterson said it is his understanding that Darnita Collins, the primary owner, would be the responsible entity. Bishop said he’s not happy about the unsecured creditors, noting the commission’s responsibility is to represent the employees and creditors. Logan said he did not think the commission’s vote should be based on the bankruptcy court’s ruling regarding debts.

Bishop also asked about employee benefits. Patterson said the insurance company has allowed ICare to take on the life insurance and health insurance. He added ICare is trying to find out how much vacation/sick time is owed. He said his desire would be to continue with what’s owed as long as it is not a financial burden. He said they will come up with an agreement both sides can live with.

In the event that the Med-Trans transfer to ICare does not go through, the commission authorized Stinnett to enter into an emergency contract for up to 90 days. Stinnett said several vendors have indicated they would be willing to step in immediately if needed.

The commission is scheduled to meet Jan. 12 with bidders interested in the ambulance contract beginning July 1, when the Med-Trans contract expires.