County Commission To Decide Future of Ambulance Service Monday Night
The DeKalb County Commission Monday night is expected to decide whether the ambulance service should be brought back under the county’s control.
County Mayor Mike Foster says two private companies, Pro Med and Trans Med were interested in contracting with the county and recently presented proposals for the Emergency Services Committee to consider. However, Foster says committee members felt more comfortable with the county running the ambulance service and will make that recommendation to the county commission Monday night. Trans Med wanted a $300,000 a year supplement and Pro Med asked for a $65,000 supplement to operate the ambulance service.
Sumner Regional, which has been operating the DeKalb Ambulance Service for a $163,000 supplement per year, will be giving up the operation this fall.
Foster says the proposed budget includes an expenditure of $1.2 million to operate the ambulance service this coming year with proposed revenues at between $800,000 and $900,000, should the commission vote for the county to assume control of the EMS service. The budget includes funds to pay a staff of nine paramedics, five EMT’s, a director, a secretary, and to buy a new ambulance, equipment and to pay for utilities and other costs. “We want to make sure that we have a good, solid ambulance service, that we charge very reasonable rates, and that we continue to have competent people. We want to try to keep as many of these people as want to work.”
The county commission will meet in special session Monday night at 6:30 p.m. in the basement of the courthouse to vote on the future of the ambulance service. A public hearing will be held at 6:00 p.m.. WJLE plans LIVE coverage.
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