Spencer County fiscal court backs resolution asking health board for funding for 12-hour ambulance shift

The Spencer County Fiscal Court voted Sept. 18 to approve a resolution asking the North Central Health District and the Spencer County Health Board to fund a 12-hour ambulance shift.

County Judge/Executive Scott Travis presented the resolution, which the packet says is based on county population growth and recent ambulance-service strain. The resolution states that Spencer County’s population has increased and that, in the previous 90 days, ambulances overlapped 160 times — situations in which an ambulance was not available locally and neighboring counties were called to respond.

The resolution cites studies showing timely ambulance access improves outcomes for cardiac arrest, stroke and trauma patients and concludes the county needs more ambulance capacity. It requests $324,160 to support a 12-hour ambulance service and urges the health district and health board to grant the request.

On a motion by Esq. Stump and seconded by Esq. Cotton, the court approved the new resolution by roll call vote with all members present recorded as voting “aye.” The minutes record the resolution text and the court’s action; the packet lists the factual assertions and the dollar figure requested.

The court did not adopt an implementation plan in these minutes; the resolution asks external health authorities to provide the funding. Next procedural steps will depend on actions by the North Central Health District and the Spencer County Health Board, according to the packet language.