City won’t renew current ambulance service contract

CLINTONVILLE – The city of Clintonville has submitted notice to the Clintonville Area Ambulance Service (CAAS) that it intends to not renew the current contract it has with CAAS which ends Dec. 31, 2026.
The Clintonville Common Council approved a resolution at its June 9 meeting that stated the city’s intention to withdraw from CAAS by not renewing the contract. Notice needed to be submitted by July 1, otherwise the contract would automatically renew for another year.
In a June 24 press release from the city, it stated that the city has taken this step based on information it received in a state-funded Innovation Planning Final Report, completed by Fire & Industrial Response Enterprises, LLC (FIRE LLC), an independent firm that provides emergency-response assessments and safety services to public agencies and organizations. FIRE LLC reviewed dispatch data, response times, staffing, coverage, and costs as part of its evaluation of the city’s ambulance service.
“The study identified several concerns with the current CAAS agreement and service structure and outlined options the city must evaluate to ensure reliable ambulance service for residents,” it was stated in the press release.
Clintonville Mayor Jeannie Schley stated in the press release that the action “preserves the City’s ability to consider all available options” and emphasized that “this is the beginning of the process, not the end.”

The press release stated that the city is currently reviewing the language in the current CAAS contract and developing proposed amendments to address concerns that were identified in the study. The city and other municipalities could choose to continue with CAAS under updated terms.
It was stated that the city is also evaluating alternative ambulance service options, “including potential contracting with another provider and what would be required to operate a municipal ambulance service.”
Listening session
The city has scheduled a listening session regarding the matter. The listening session is set for July 9 at 6 p.m. at the Clintonville Community Center.
“We encourage all CAAS member municipalities to participate and hear feedback from the participating communities,” it was stated in the press release. “…Please encourage your elected officials, emergency service members, and your municipality leadership to join us.”