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Fiscal Court approves $41,808 chase‑vehicle purchase for EMS, funds health‑care legal review and hears ambulance‑billing proposal
Summary
The Boyle County Fiscal Court approved buying a used 2023 Dodge Durango for an EMS chase vehicle, authorized engaging a health‑care attorney paid from a grant, and heard a proposal to support state legislation to require commercial payers to cover ambulance transport fees.
The Boyle County Fiscal Court approved the purchase of a 2023 Dodge Durango as a chase vehicle for the county's emergency medical services at a contract price reported to be about $41,808.
EMS Director Mike Rogers told magistrates the county had obtained three dealer quotes and recommended Don Franklin because that dealer had a vehicle on the lot available immediately. Rogers said outfitting the vehicle with lights and other equipment would take additional months, but the county needs a replacement now.
On a voice vote the court approved the purchase and the judge confirmed payment would be made on delivery.
Rogers also requested the court authorize engaging a health‑care attorney to review EMS privacy and HIPAA practices. The court approved entering into an engagement with the law firm Stites & Harbison, with the cost to be paid from a listed response‑team grant. Magistrate Gay moved to approve the engagement and Magistrate Cohen seconded; the motion passed by voice vote.
Rogers urged the court to consider supporting proposed state legislation that would require commercial insurers to pay ambulance billing for ground transport in full (except deductible portions) and give counties the option to set EMS billing rates. He said the proposal could materially increase EMS revenue and asked the court to consider a letter to state lawmakers; the court agreed to meet with Representative Elliott and to consider the request.
Rogers reported the EMS run total for the previous month was 693 runs and described a recent difficult week for responders that included multiple mental‑health calls and absentee bereavement; he and magistrates also discussed efforts to expand mental‑health crisis‑response hours and staffing.
The court also heard committee-level discussion of fleet management options to reduce costs on high‑expense vehicle parts and a request for ride‑along opportunities so magistrates can view EMS operations in the field.
