Sheriff Gardner says paramedic service will continue

CEDAR RAPIDS - Rural Linn County will continue to have a full-time paramedic service, even if Sheriff Brian Gardner isn't sure yet how it will be funded.

“This program will continue,” Gardner told county supervisors at this morning's work session.

The sheriff's rescue division was cut from the sheriff's office budget last week. Gardner didn't include the service's $299,000 annual cost in his fiscal 2012 budget proposal. Supervisors did not include the service while allocating roughly $1.8 million in discretionary funds, setting up the service for discontinuance July 1.

But Gardner said today he'll keep the rescue division rolling “by hook or by crook,” shifting funds within his department's $16 million budget. Supervisor Lu Barron assured Gardner he has the authority to do that.

News from last week: “People will die” if paramedics cut, sheriff warns Linn County supervisors

“Once your budget's set, you're welcome to move that around,” said Barron, a Cedar Rapids Democrat. “I think you have more flexibility than a small department would.”

Supervisor Brent Oleson suggested Gardner may reconsider his opposition to hiring private security guards to staff the new juvenile justice center when it opens next fall. Guards supplied by contractors would be cheaper, but Gardner has opposed their use over their lack of arrest powers and command issues.

“I still think there's an opportunity to do a pilot project in some fashion,” said Oleson, a Marion Republican.

Gardner said his budget options are limited by state requirements to provide many services and reluctance to cut non-mandated services that generate revenue – about $5 million yearly.

“What do I have for options?” he asked. “I figured you would have a tough time turning down the (rescue) program, I will admit.”