The Fulton County Commissioners and County Council learned about a month ago that Lutheran was withdrawing its bid, one of three, to handle EMS and ambulance service in the county.

Now, with a June 30 deadline approaching to have a service contracted and mobilized, it appears Fulton County has a frontrunner established.

Initial bids between Lutheran, Heartland and Parkview were dramatically different in price in the beginning of this process. Commissioner Bryan Lewis says Parkview is now in negotiations with the county to be the supplier of EMS and ambulance services.

When Lutheran withdrew its bid there was agreement to continue service until June 30.

Stipulations for quotes were for four-year contracts and would include three ambulance sites: Akron, Kewanna and Rochester.