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Carlisle County officials discuss ambulance collections and unfunded rescue squad needs
Summary
County ambulance collections were reported and commissioners discussed adding a line item to support an unfunded rescue squad, with staff asked to return cost estimates for operations and equipment.
John Chavis reported the county ambulance service’s recent revenue and operational needs, and commissioners discussed funding gaps for the volunteer rescue squad.
Chavis said collections for January and the July-to-January period remain strong. “For the month of January, we collect a total of $27,001.00… total collections from July to January of $207,004.40,” he told the Fiscal Court. He said the ambulance service is preparing for an April inspection and is having trouble obtaining certain medications because the manufacturer is on back order.
Discussion then turned to rescue services such as rope, water and ground rescue, and the need to station equipment closer to frequent call locations. A rescue-side-by-side vehicle and an all-terrain vehicle are used frequently at Roden Park, Chavis said, but the rescue squad receives no direct state funding and no dedicated county tax revenue.
“Rescue gets 0 money from the state, and we get 0 money from the tax,” Chavis said. He estimated the annual operational cost for keeping rescue equipment available could be “at most, probably $10,000 a year,” and noted he currently has unspent equipment budget dollars he could reallocate this year.
Commissioners asked staff to prepare cost estimates and proposed line items for the spring budget cycle. The court did not adopt a final funding change at the meeting. Instead, the court directed staff to return with a proposal during budget preparation.
The discussion included a reference to state law requiring a rescue squad: “It’s under KRS chapter 39,” Chavis said when discussing legal obligations. Commissioners and staff agreed to look at grant opportunities, local fundraising and a possible ambulance line item to cover rescue operations.
The court did not take a formal vote on a rescue funding appropriation during the meeting. Commissioners said they would consider supplemental budget language and present figures at an upcoming budget meeting.
