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County EMS asks for funds to support ALS expansion, ventilator purchase and facility costs
Summary
Henry County EMS discussed adding ALS capability and staffing a 24/7 truck using PRN medics, requested $20,000 for ALS equipment and supplies plus funds for a ventilator, and raised concerns about high utilities at the shared building and funding for a potential remount of an ambulance.
Henry County EMS leaders told the council they are expanding ALS services, asked for budget support for equipment and supplies, and raised concerns about utilities and facility costs tied to shared space in the county building.
Mandy (EMS staff) explained that the PRN medics line supports staffing a single 24/7 truck and that the county’s PRN medic costs for that level of coverage were presented as $254,000 in total for the PRN medics line. She requested $20,000 in ALS supplies (medications, vent circuits, narcotics) and $20,000 in ALS equipment (noted specifically as a ventilator line item) to move the service to ALS capability. Mandy said some ALS equipment (monitors, defibrillators) is already on hand and the county has worked with the hospital on items such as IV pumps, but ongoing medication and consumable costs and some capital pieces remain.
The EMS team also discussed vehicle maintenance and replacement. They said ambulances are in better shape than in past years, that a “remount” (replace box on chassis and renew wiring and interior) is being considered for one vehicle as a lower‑cost alternative to buying new, and that quotes are being collected. Remounts and chassis choices (van vs. truck) were discussed as a cost factor.
Staff raised facility concerns: the EMS bay and storage occupy county space that currently carries a large wastewater/sewer charge because the building has a commercial meter; the group said wastewater charges can be up to about $500 monthly and that resolving meter/tap issues to reduce that cost could be expensive (quotes in transcript reported as very high, up to six figures). County staff noted previously negotiated cost‑sharing arrangements — the coroners, Safe at Home, and others sometimes occupy space — and asked commissioners to revisit who pays utilities once tenants change.
No formal council action was taken; staff said they will refine utility and equipment quotes and that some costs might be eligible to be paid from specific EMS fund balances rather than the general fund.
Why it matters: ALS capability, ventilators and ambulance lifecycle planning affect emergency medical care and patient outcomes; utilities and building-cost allocations affect long‑term operating budgets.
