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VIDALIA, La. — The Town of Vidalia has again renewed its contract with AirMedCare to provide emergency medical airlift service to residents at a reduced cost.

The Vidalia Board of Alderman voted 4-0 on the contract’s renewal during the regular council meeting on Tuesday. Alderman Tommy Probst was absent.

Having this agreement in place saves residents thousands of dollars they would otherwise have to pay for medical emergency flights.

“I know several people who have been flown. If it is going to save one person’s life and help them by not putting the burden of having that expense on them and the town was able to do it, I think we should continue to do this nice thing for everybody,” said Vidalia Mayor Buz Craft.

The renewal rate for the town is the same as in previous years, officials said. The contract renewal rate is $19,394.00 annually.  Individual rates to customers are $55 per year for those under 60 years old and $45 per year for those 60 years and older, said Town of Vidalia manager, Jay LaSyone.

“This is the rate that citizens can upgrade to for coverage anywhere in the country that AirMed has services,” LaSyone said. “The town’s membership covers (airlifting service from) Concordia and Catahoula Parishes and Adams County.”

For out-of-network members, AirMedCare advertises individual rates at $99 per year for households with primary or secondary members under 60 years old and $79 per year for households with primary or secondary members 60 years or older.

Tuesday’s meeting was short with no other agenda items apart from a review of the financial statements. No other actions were taken.