Roosevelt County approves EMS funding applications and ratifies ambulance grant submission

Roosevelt County commissioners approved two EMS funding actions and a public‑safety proclamation during their meeting.

Kelly Bilbrey, EMS director for the Mill and Sand Fire Department, asked the board to approve a FY27 EMS fund and local funding application totaling $61,000. "This year I'm requesting $61,000," Bilbrey said, identifying $10,000 for ambulance maintenance, $3,000 for conference and continuing‑education travel, and the remainder for supplies, uniforms and a new monitor and AED (she said such monitors can cost about $40,000). The board moved, seconded and voted to approve the application and authorized the signature and notarization required for the submission.

Hugh Frank, EMS director at Arch Volunteer Fire Department, sought ratification of a vehicle purchase grant application to the EMS Bureau. Frank told commissioners he applied for $210,000 toward a new ambulance that costs about $290,000 and requires a 25% local match. "A new base ambulance is $290,000, and it's a 25% match," Frank said. Commissioners ratified the submission; staff noted the county had contributed to a match previously and agreed to any additional follow‑up required for matching funds.

Separately, the board approved a proclamation designating December 2025 as drunk and drugged driving prevention month in Roosevelt County. The proclamation cites state DWI coordinator efforts and national statistics on alcohol‑related crashes; the presenting staff member noted recent county deaths tied to alcohol cases discussed by the district attorney's office.

Procedural items during the meeting also included routine approvals of the agenda, minutes, payroll and payables. After the public portion of the meeting, the board voted to move into an executive session citing attorney‑client privilege and limited personnel matters.