Galax City and Grayson County assess shared emergency service cost agreements

Grayson County officials are grappling with a complex financial agreement with Galax that has sparked significant discussion during the recent Final Budget Work Session. The agreement, originally signed in February 2009, is legally binding and outlines the cost-sharing structure for emergency services between the two jurisdictions.

Currently, Grayson County is responsible for 49% of the budget, while Galax covers 51%. This division has raised concerns among county leaders, particularly given the disparity in call volume—Galax residents accounted for approximately 63% of emergency calls, compared to Grayson’s 37%. The imbalance in service usage versus financial contribution has prompted calls for a reevaluation of the agreement.

During the meeting, officials discussed the possibility of renegotiating the terms to create a more equitable compensation structure based on actual service usage. One suggestion was to implement a fluid compensatory commission that would adjust payments according to the number of calls responded to by each jurisdiction. This approach aims to ensure that Grayson County is not disproportionately burdened by costs, especially as they continue to support volunteer squads with compensatory pay.

As discussions progress, the county is considering how to address these financial discrepancies while maintaining effective emergency services for all residents. The outcome of these negotiations could significantly impact the budget and service delivery in the region moving forward.