Hardy County commission sets public hearings on ambulance-fee changes, advances $60,000 to ambulance authority

The Hardy County Commission voted May 6 to advance $60,000 to the Hardy County Emergency Ambulance Authority (HCEAA) to cover monthly operations and scheduled two public hearings on proposed changes to the county’s ambulance-fee ordinance for Monday, June 16 in Wardensville and Tuesday, June 17 at the courthouse, both at 7 p.m.

The commission said the advance is intended to stabilize HCEAA cash flow while the authority continues efforts to bring revenues and expenses into balance. Derek Holt, director of the County Ambulance Authority, told commissioners that all vehicles and equipment are in service and that the authority has shown “a very nice downward trend” against budget in recent months, with reductions in salaries and wages contributing to improved monthly results.

But Holt and commissioners acknowledged the agency still faces recurring shortfalls. The meeting included an extended debate about whether to seek a bank line of credit for the HCEAA. Commissioners and Holt cautioned a line of credit could encourage short-term fixes and create county risk if the authority used borrowed funds to mask structural deficits. Instead, commissioners and HCEAA directors discussed alternative revenue options: raising ambulance fees, seeking a levy or increased local fee, and pursuing impact fees under recently passed state legislation (Senate Bill 530). Holt noted impact fees permit charges on new development to cover incremental service costs.

The commission also authorized a one-time transfer to a higher-yield account: commissioners approved moving up to $200,000 from the ambulance-fee fund into an interest-bearing account to earn more on idle funds while preserving liquidity. The motion to pursue a higher-yield holding for the ambulance-fee fund, amended to specify $200,000, passed on a recorded aye vote.

Commissioners reviewed results from a recent county survey on EMS services (84 respondents). When asked which option they preferred given financial strain, 47% favored raising ambulance service fees to maintain current service levels, 18% preferred reducing service instead of raising fees, and 34% said they needed more information. On preferred increase size, 28% favored a small increase ($10–$25), 21% favored a moderate increase ($25–$50) and 37% said they do not support any increase. Commissioners said the survey results and prior town halls show many residents want more information before final decisions.

To give residents additional opportunity for input, the commission set two public hearings on the proposed ambulance-fee ordinance: June 16 at the HCEAA building in Wardensville and June 17 at the courthouse, both at 7 p.m. Commissioners and staff said they will publish the proposed ordinance on the county web page and make printed copies available at the courthouse for residents without internet access.

What’s next: the HCEAA will continue monthly financial reporting to the commission, staff will publicize the June hearings, and commissioners expect to move forward with an ordinance vote after public comment and any revisions requested by the prosecuting attorney.