Commissioners approve EMS budget change: four paramedic positions added and remount funded from county fund balance

Macon County commissioners voted to amend the proposed fiscal-year budget for Emergency Medical Services, approving a change requested by EMS leadership that substitutes a remounted ambulance and four full-time paramedic positions for the district's prior request for a new ambulance.

Jeremy Cabe, representing EMS, told commissioners that a new ambulance build would take 18 to 24 months and cost roughly $385,000; instead, EMS proposed buying a remounted chassis/module (lower upfront cost) and adding personnel to operate a day truck on high-volume days. Commissioners discussed funding options and the delivery timeline for new vehicles; they also noted the operational need to expand daytime coverage in the Franklin area.

Commissioner Shields moved to approve the modification: remove the new-ambulance line in the budget, add funding for one remount ambulance (one-time) and add four full-time paramedic positions (recurring). County staff and the finance director confirmed the remount cost would be appropriated from fund balance and that the personnel cost fits within the revised total that had been proposed for EMS. Commissioner Breeden seconded the motion. The board approved it by voice vote, 5'0'00.

Action details: The motion authorized county staff to remove the new-ambulance procurement from the capital request, to appropriate fund balance to pay for a remount ambulance, and to add four full-time paramedic positions to the EMS personnel complement; staffing and procurement timing will be managed by county administration and EMS leadership.

Ending: Commissioners and EMS leaders said they will track the fiscal impact into subsequent budget reviews and may return with a mid-year evaluation of vehicle needs and the remount's condition.