Public meeting scheduled in Merced County ambulance contract dispute

Merced County Executive Officer Jim Brown said Tuesday that a Dec. 18 public meeting has been scheduled to discuss the ongoing contract dispute between Riggs Ambulance Service and American Medical Response.

Brown said the requests for proposal will likely be made public at the hearing, which will happen during the Board of Supervisors' regularly scheduled meeting.

Merced County officials recently withdrew their contract offer to Riggs Ambulance Service in favor of American Medical Response, after the longtime ambulance provider lost its bid due to the loss of "local vendor" points.

The withdrawal of the offer potentially severs a relationship of more than 60 years between Merced County and Riggs.

More information about this story will be included in Wednesday's Merced Sun-Star.

-- Sun-Star staff