Column: Central EMS is crunching numbers to see what is needed to make 10 percent profit
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Maybe TAP would get access to the application Central made to the state to compete for the Augusta zone. Certainly it has representations in it that reflect Central’s business plan without the subsidy that ARC is in no way by law required to pay. Or, was Central granted the zone based on getting a subsidy? This guaranteed profit is a red herring. What did Central tell the state it would do without a subsidy? Inquiring minds want to know, because they well remember the C4 partnership with the City.
Agree. The subsidy should be scrutinized. Who is being responsible for paying it now?
Central requested the Zone, assuming there would be a subsidy. And you KNOW they will get one…
I predict Central will bid a reasonable first year price then once entrenched slam A RC for huge fees the following years. I suspect secret meetings are being held at the S&S cafeteria with several bully commissioners to make that happen. Oh and look to see whose children are hired by Central….hummm.
Thank you, Mayor Johnson for leading the community-wide cleanup!
Shame on those who trash our community by throwing garbage out the windows onto parks and roadways.
Citizens must take pride in our City, if they want to see change!
Looking forward to more community initiatives to get back our “Garden City”!
Agree.
From what I’ve observed, a lot of the trash along the roadways blows out of the backs of trash trucks. The trash companies need to be held accountable.
I’ve been happy with what I’ve seen from Mayor Johnson so far! If he can keep up the momentum then I think the changes will happen reasonably quickly in ARC. What a welcome change from the rotten apple that was Hardie.
Do we really need 7 ads from Windsor Jewelers? Very irritating.
Speaking of Windsors, I bet a green box has never been picked up on the side of the road as being litter. Never ever…
Bottom line! Augusta commission was too enept to handle dealing with Gold Cross so Central was assigned to the Augusta Area. Now you will pay what they tell you to pay.
I hope Gold Cross does stay in Augusta and competes with the ARC-Central monopoly. My cell phone can speed dial a local 706 phone number as fast as 911. Gold Cross’ call response and dispatch response will likely be faster than anything associated with ARC government. How can an ARC procurement, that started out with competitive bidding, end up granting an indefinite quantity, indefinite price contract to a supplier? The few honest intelligent commissioners should be making motions to petition the state to rescind the zone provider decision and start the procurement process again, following the rules this time. The people who pushed this mess to the current point are incompetent, self-serving, corrupt, stupid, evil, or combinations thereof. They need to be fired or voted out of office for ARC to move forward.
Catherine McKnight it’s always on target. I needed and used gold cross twice and they were excellent. How did central win a bid without giving a price?
They were awarded the Zone by the EMS Council. As has been stated before, ARC does not have to pay them a dime. If we do not however, they will just release the Zone, and then there will be NO EMS.
Things needing immediate addressing:
1. Why Douse and Brown failed to carry out the directive? Are they going to be reprimanded, are there any consequences for failing to do their job?
2. Why Dunlap has included a quote for software and equipment, under who’s authority?
3. Why Brown has hired an Atlanta law firm to handle the IRS fines? What does the city pay him for and who has given him authority to hire outside council?
4. Why the heads for Finance, Human Resources and Information Technology, who knew about the IRS issues five years ago, but did not disclosed it to the commission still are employed? Appears incompetence is rewarded, which in SOP for Augusta these days.
5. Why a forensic audit has not been initiated at this point?
I agree with every question.
All questions right on the mark! Clearly, the buddy system of hiring key people, to include inept Douse, Brown and Dunlap reflect the power of the “absent five” council members when they don’t get their way!! Just a micro of the way Joe Biden selected his cabinet. DIVERSE but not qualified!!
Go Catherine !! This installment was full of little nuggets. I did not know that we had an annual audit ! How could a real financial auditor not bring up the fact that ARC does not have a receipt-matching policy in place, which would’ve fixed the former Mayor’s crap, about not having receipts. Taxpayers should DEMAND their money back. This also apparently proves that even the audit firm does not follow GAAP. Central’s hiring of Steven Vincent could be a mixed bag for them. I am in agreement that there should be NOTHING done for Central, that ARC was not willing to do for Gold Cross. As was stated, the relationship between ARC and Gold Cross soured when Chief James came to town. He was a (rhymes with “trick”). Probably still is. ARC — PLAY FAIR !! As far as the IRS fine is concerned, Information Technology is not a blaming party here — Human Resources and Finance are their customers, and they have to follow their customer’s marching orders. Great column as usual…from Bradenton, FL Spring Training Baseball — Go Braves !!
Back to reality on Tuesday.
I think the audit is basically like Wayne Brown..they tell you exactly what you want to hear…I also believe someone behind the scenes with government connections is calling the shots on ambulance service and getting their pocket lined off of it. For the life of me I cannot understand how the GBI isn’t investigating the financial dealings of the city…
I am still waiting on a determination of whether Hardie Davis, the commissioners, administrator, and their minions complied with GA law and Augusta’s procedure for issuing, using, and returning his P-Card. https://www.augustaga.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14766/REV-2021-CREDIT-AND-PCARD-PURCHASING-POLICY It would be worth a FOIA request to see all procedure generated documents pertinent to Hardie Davis – his signed card acceptance agreement, training records, and his return of the card form. It still galls me that he left office after abusing it for 8 years and has not been required to prove he did not break the law and public trust. I am surprised the IRS is not investigating him. At least Mayor Johnson provides some hope for the future.
And rented a storage shed with that credit card that he uses and the city has no clue if it’s property is in that shed..
Which is WHY I said that the Marshall’s Office should put a second lock on the storage facility, so that when Hardie decides to inventory the contents, an AEC representative is there to make sure that he only takes what is rightfully his. ARC paid for the storage facility, and they have every right to place a second lock on it.
ARC…
I agree 100%
A guaranteed 10% profit? Most companies would be thrilled with a 5 to 7% profit margin. Seriously! And why is Augusta Richmond County hiring private lawyers (at huge fees) to represent the city / Commission? Is it because they need someone to deal with the myriad of lawsuits their incompetent leadership and mis-management has brough down on us?