SANDPOINT - Bonner County commissioners continue to proceed with expanding EMS services in Sagle despite concerns that the move is fiscally and operationally questionable.

Commissioners opted not to renew its EMS contract with the Sagle Fire District on grounds that the county could provide a higher level of service at a lower cost.

But Sagle Fire District Commissioner Rob Goodyear said two ambulances currently serve the Sagle area. The backup ambulance has been relied upon nearly 70 times since 2014 because the primary ambulance was already committed to calls for service.

Goodyear said placing a single ambulance in Sagle will drag down the level of service and lengthen response times.

"How is that a superior level of service? The backup ambulance then has to come from Sandpoint - a long waiting time, 10 minutes or more," Goodyear told county commissioners on Tuesday.

County commissioners have pointed out that they will immediately realize an $85,000 savings by not renewing Sagle's contract, but Sagle officials project it will cost as much as $140,000 to staff a county EMS station.

"Unless you're not paying the people that are going to be staffing the Sagle station, there can be no savings. There is an increased cost," said Goodyear.

The commission boosted the Bonner County EMS budget on Tuesday $34,684 to hire four new advanced EMTs.

Sagle Fire appealed to the commission to reconsider canceling the contract, but Commission Chairman Cary Kelly said the board is sticking to its position.

"That decision's already been made," said Kelly.

Sagle resident Kristine Patterson questioned why the public was disenfranchised from the discussion about Sagle's contract, but Kelly said the board's discussion was publicized and conducted in public.

"It was an open meeting," said Kelly.