(KAIR)--Formal action is taken regarding the plans of the Atchison County Commission to form its own Emergency Medical Service.

That happened Tuesday when the Atchison County Commission voted unanimously to cancel the contract with current provider, Techs Inc., based in Jackson County.

The formal action came one week after an executive session was held to discuss the matter. According to the minutes of the meeting, present in that session were Commissioners Bill Pohl and Eric Noll, County Counselor Pat Henderson, Emergency Management and IT Director Wes Lanter, and HR Director Jamie Madison.

Commissioner Jeff Schuele was absent.

Following the September 13 closed door meeting, a letter, dated September 16, was addressed to EMS employees by Lanter informing the employees of the decision made behind closed doors.

In the letter, apparently sent four days prior to the vote of the Commission, Lanter stated that "the application time line for the new director is opening today and will close on Friday, October 7." He explained that once the new director is hired, Atchison County will open the application process for paramedics and EMTS.

The letter encourages the current employees to apply for a position with the new service.

Atchison County Counselor Patrick Henderson, following the executive session, notified Techs Inc. CEO Brent Teter of the plan to terminate.

A termination clause was part of the contract with the ambulance service provider.

The Commission, following their vote Tuesday, informed Teter, in a letter, of their decision to act on the termination clause. The letter thanks the company for the operation of a quality ambulance service for the past several years, and says "the time is right to bring the service under the County's umbrella."

Expected cost savings has been stated as a key reason for the Commission's decision.