Scurry County court adopts resolution backing rural EMS funding bills

Scurry County Commissioners Court on a unanimous voice vote adopted a resolution supporting Senate Bill 1377 and House Bill 3005, measures county officials say would provide critical capital funding for rural emergency medical services.

The resolution asks state lawmakers to preserve a funding stream that, as discussed at the meeting, would make up to $300,000 available to counties the size of Scurry County. County speakers said the current draft limits awards to capital equipment — ambulances, remounts and monitors — after earlier language that would have allowed the funds to pay personnel was removed in committee testimony.

County officials who presented the resolution said the grant amount could cover roughly three-quarters of a new ambulance or be applied to remounts and monitors. Supporters at the meeting said the funds would be “huge” for small departments that lack local capital reserves.

Court members discussed staffing challenges and training programs separately, and noted workforce grants being pursued through regional workforce solutions groups. They did not vote on any personnel-directed spending as part of the resolution; the action recorded was limited to endorsing the two bills as written.

The court approved the resolution and the measure was entered into the minutes. Supporters said they will follow the bills as they progress at the state capital.

The resolution was identified in the meeting record by a county staffer as "resolution 0412004104012025" when moved to the floor; the motion and second were made on the record and followed by a voice vote.