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Taylor County approves Survival Flight to provide EMS service; $1.05 million annual price, funding split to be finalized
Summary
Taylor County commissioners voted Aug. 19 to accept a recommendation to contract with Survival Flight for emergency medical services, tentatively priced at $1,050,000 per year; the county will finalize the contract and a funding split with the budget process.
Taylor County commissioners voted Aug. 19 to accept the selection committee recommendation to contract with Survival Flight for county EMS services, with the agreement to be brought back to the board for final contract approval.
The bid from Survival Flight carries an annual cost to the county of $1,050,000. Staff said the amount is partially funded under current budget plans; the remaining balance — estimated at roughly $200,000–$300,000 — would be covered from one‑cent sales tax revenues in the next fiscal year unless the board decides a different split in its budget process. Commissioners discussed a likely 50/50 split between the general fund and 1¢ sales tax and agreed the final funding arrangement would be formalized during budget adoption.
Survival Flight’s proposal calls for three ALS ambulances to cover county needs: one within the city, one in the county and one in Steinhatchee. The company will inherit many of the existing EMS personnel and must meet performance metrics included in the county’s request for proposals. The contract will include reporting and minimum-performance requirements: if the contractor fails to meet a 90% minimum standard for three consecutive months, penalties escalate (Staff said the fine doubles under the current draft), and the county can request contract review. The company also agreed to place a full‑time local supervisor in or near Taylor County, operating from a quick‑response vehicle rather than riding on an ambulance.
Charles Barnard, regional director for Survival Flight, testified about the company’s coverage footprint and vehicle plans; he said the firm would provide brand‑new ambulances with up‑to‑date medical equipment and a replacement plan that would cycle vehicles out of service around 200,000 miles. Representatives said the vendor will submit full vehicle and apparatus specifications with the contract documents.
The board authorized staff to finalize and return a draft contract for approval. Commissioners discussed interlocal mutual‑aid language and asked staff to tighten provisions that prevent routine out‑of‑county transfers that leave the county short on local coverage except during declared mutual‑aid events.
