Attorneys for the City of Imperial and Chase County made their first appearance in District Court  May 31 in a case over responsibility for a $436 hospital bill.
    The disagreement over the bill stemmed from a Dec. 24 arrest by the city of Imperial Police Department.
    The city police took the suspect to the county jail. However, the jailer requested the suspect be checked over by a doctor before incarceration.
    That examination, which concluded that the patient was medically cleared to be jailed, cost $436.
    The bill was initially sent to the city but they forwarded it to the county since the county operates the jail. Since then, neither party has been able to agree on who is responsible for paying the bill.
    As a result, the city’s attorney, Josh Wendell of Ogallala and County Attorney Arlan Wine decided it was best left for the court to decide.
    After Judge David Urbom heard opening arguments by both Wine and Wendell, he requested they file further briefs on the basis for their case.
    Briefs must be filed with the court by end of day Friday, June 16.
 

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