Cheshire County defends county‑run EMS amid community pushback and funding questions

County leaders provided a timeline of Cheshire EMS’s formation, funding and early operations while answering commissioner questions about long‑term finances and community concerns.

The county said it used American Rescue Plan Act funds for set‑up, build‑out and vehicle purchases and that most ARPA dollars (the county estimated 95–98%) supported capital and equipment rather than ongoing operating subsidies. The commissioners described early outreach to other ambulance vendors, concerns about liens and unpaid liabilities at the prior vendor, and a decision to establish county‑run EMS in November 2022 after contractual negotiations and reported financial risks with the prior operator.

The chair outlined the county’s initial interactions with the prior vendor and with Rescue Inc., and recounted that a title/ lien review during a proposed purchase revealed significant dollar‑amount liens; the chair said an IRS lien originally cited at about $1.2 million later grew, as staff understood it, and that the county proceeded to build its own service in response to the risk that the vendor could close. The chair described the procurement and start‑up effort as “a horror show” because of liens and unexpected legal issues that complicated a purchase agreement.

Mark, an EMS leader, read a commendation from Lieutenant Kennery praising county crews on a recent RSI medic intercept: “Ashley and Darren had done an exceptional job stabilizing a highly unstable patient prior to our arrival and work seamlessly with our crew,” the email read as read by Mark. Mark also announced that Ashley West, who trained under county programs and grants, had completed paramedic certification and is now operating as a county paramedic.

Commissioners raised questions about when EMS will reach breakeven. Staff said the county based earlier budgets on conservative revenue assumptions and that billing improvements (changing billing agents to eMax) have sped reimbursement to 24–48 hours and increased receipts. Staff said the 2026 operating budget is being planned with higher revenue assumptions: the county estimated progress toward breaking even in future budgets but did not set a specific break‑even date in the meeting.

The session also reviewed complaints and public concern that followed the county’s entry into EMS provision — including public letters and complaints filed with oversight offices. County staff said some complaints were filed with the U.S. Treasury Inspector General about ARPA spending but that those complaints either lacked sufficient information or did not establish misuse of funds; staff said Treasury had not issued findings during the meeting. Commissioners acknowledged community friction with some municipal officials and said they would continue outreach, publish fact sheets and provide documentation explaining the county’s decisions and financial records.

The board voted to approve an extension for an EMT’s leave (motion approved by recorded roll call) and moved several administrative items to the executive committee for follow‑up. County leaders said they would circulate fact sheets and financial summaries to answer recurring questions about revenues, ARPA spending and operational metrics.