Comments sought on idea to allow Sheriff's Office to sublease part of Lincoln Ambulance building

A nascent idea to sublease a part of the Lincoln Volunteer Ambulance building to the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office for use by deputies has prompted the Lincoln Hospital District to take the idea to the residents of Lincoln for input.

Lincoln Volunteer Ambulance President Aaron Birkholz broached the idea with the hosptial district board during their April 28 meeting, and LHD treasurer Karen Frank-Plumlee discussed the issue last week at the May 1 Lincoln Government Day listening session.

Lewis and Clark county Sheriff Leo Dutton told the BVD that Deputy Robert Rivera scoped out the building to see if it would be suitable for the sheriff's office needs.

"We're sure interested," Dutton said.

Frank-Plumlee explained the LHD owns the building and leases it to the Lincoln Volunteer Ambulance for a dollar a year. She said the board decided it would need input from the Lincoln public regarding having non-medical services in the building, since local taxpayers established the Lincoln Hospital District.

"We want to hear from you because it's a big step to go from medical services. Even though the sheriff's department could qualify as emergency service, that's not what our lease says," she said. "Many of you have worked for years on the hospital district or ambulance medical service here in the Lincoln Valley, so we want to hear what you think about this, because it's a departure."

Birkholz is also keen to hear from the community. The ambulance, which constructed and owns the ambulance barn west of the building, believes the proposal would benefit the Sheriff's office with a more centralized location, while rent payments could also provide additional funding for the Lincoln Volunteer Ambulance.

The current lease with the Lincoln Volunteer Ambulance, which runs through 2036, doesn't specifically address sublease agreements, nor does it appear to prohibit them. According to the lease, the building is to be "occupied by the LVA solely for the purpose of providing emergency medical case and transport to the local community, and will not be used for any other purpose without the prior written consent of the LHD."

As the lease is written it appears a sublease to the Sheriff's office would simply require the Hospital Districts authorization in writing, although its likely details in the LVA's lease concerning insurance, inspections and potential building alterations would probably also need to be explored.

So far, discussions have only been between the Sheriff's office and the LVA. County Commission Chair Susan Good Geise felt the issue wasn't yet "ready for prime time" and suggested the LHD board contact their attorney for advice and enter into a conversation with the sheriff's office directly, to discuss the specifics.

"When you get something that's concrete, at least a draft, you can open it up for public discussion. That might be a better way. We don't have enough to go on right now. It's just not gelled yet," Geise said.

The LHD and LVA agreed to a May 18 deadline for comments, to give the board a chance to review them prior to their May 26 meeting, and it appear they are moving ahead with gatering feedback. Frank –Plumlee said Tuesday the LHD will meet May 26 via Zoom to discuss any comments they receive. Birkholz said comment and thoughts on the subject can be sent to the LHD at P.O. Box 573, Lincoln, Mont. 59639 or they can be sent to him via e-mail to [email protected].

Although the original substation on Stemple Pass Road continues to serve as the deputy's primary workspace, Dutton told the BVD the plan to find a new working location in Lincoln isn't new. A few years ago he considered buying the building that now houses Montana Heritage House to serve as a new substation, using money from protested taxes. In the end the remodel of the detention center in Helena proved to be the greater need and the money was applied toward that instead.

Dutton said the original substation, built in 1969, has developed several recurring maintenance issues, including sewer problems and a mold problem that led to $25,000 in remediation. Additionally, the cells are out of compliance with modern standards.

"We really don't store prisoners there, but if something were to come up where we had to do that, we could use it as a secure location if we have a lot of people," Dutton said. "But I think we'll get further if we partner with the people of Lincoln and the Lincoln volunteer ambulance and come up with something.

Dutton said co-locating with the ambulance would make the deputies more visible and accessible to the local citizens, as well streamlining some procedures such as the DUI blood draws that are done by ambulance personnel.