Floyd County officials review options for EMS as Senate Bill 1 cuts local income-tax funding

Unidentified Speaker 3 said Floyd County must plan now because "Senate bill 1 is changing the game" for local financing and that local income-tax (LIT) revenue currently used to subsidize fire and EMS will "go away totally 2028." The special meeting brought county officials, fire department representatives and private EMS providers together to discuss options including (1) a county-run EMS modeled as a hybrid with county-employed EMS staff housed in local firehouses, (2) joining an existing fire protection territory, or (3) contracting with private providers such as Highlander.

Why it matters: The county faces a projected shift in revenue streams as a result of state legislation. Presenter estimates included a current LIT forecast near $1,400,000 and an additional property-tax exposure the presenter characterized as “around $316,000,” with an overall estimated reduction to the district of roughly $1.7 million by 2028 if current LIT sources are removed. Officials said 2026 and 2027 funding should remain consistent with current levels, but SB1-driven changes begin to affect budget planning for 2028.

Operational options discussed included a county-managed EMS system in which EMS employees would be county staff but remain stationed in existing firehouses to avoid building separate ambulance stations. Unidentified Speaker 3 described a model with four ALS ambulances positioned strategically and estimated the annual operating cost at about $4,000,000 to run that service. Highlander representatives said they currently operate two ALS units plus a chase car, have community paramedic capacity pending EMS Commission approval, and offered an alternative that they said could increase ambulance coverage and "save you 1,000,000" annually.

Several commissioners and attendees pressed for concrete data before any commitment. Requests included square-mile coverage and population served by Highlander and Georgetown, line-item comparisons of current private-provider bids (historically reported to rise from approximately $236,000 to $1.5–$1.7 million in earlier procurements), and a net-loss/net-gain analysis for neighboring territories. Unidentified Speaker 7 specifically asked for: (a) net gain or loss for Georgetown’s territory, (b) square miles and population served comparisons, and (c) a clearer fiscal model.

Legal and timing constraints: Presenters noted that forming or moving into a fire protection territory carries statutory timing requirements and administrative steps—territory statutory actions were described as needing completion between Jan. 1 and April 1 in the coming year. The Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) was cited as the approving authority; New Albany Township and Georgetown Township were offered as recent examples where DLGF has approved territory formation though budget approvals may still be pending.

Assets and agreements: Attendees discussed practical steps such as interlocal agreements to transfer ambulances, equipment and station use; presenters suggested the county and the territory would need to negotiate asset transfers and possible reimbursement for units purchased by districts. The presenters also flagged procurement lead times—ambulances and certain equipment may take a year or more to deliver—underscoring the need for decisions and contracts well ahead of any service-change effective date.

Next steps: No formal motions or votes were taken. Commissioners asked Highlander and county staff to submit written plans, budgets and the requested coverage/population data for review. Presenters recommended additional meetings with the affected districts and territory representatives to negotiate interlocal agreements and firm up a fiscal model before the county or council votes on any change.

Quote highlights: "Senate bill 1 is changing the game," said Unidentified Speaker 3, and later added that LIT "goes away totally 2028." Unidentified Speaker 6, representing a private provider, said: "You give us 3,000,000 a year. We'll put 3 more ambulances on. That's 5 ambulances, all ALS... Save you 1000000." Commissioners repeatedly requested data and asked for more detailed written plans before any formal decision.

The meeting closed with a reiteration that the session was informational and that the council or relevant governing bodies would vote only after staff and providers deliver the requested models and documentation.