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Spencer County OKs opioid-settlement safes, decides to outfit new ambulance and hires paramedic
Summary
The Fiscal Court approved spending $15,694 from opioid-settlement funds to buy narcotic safes for EMS, voted to outfit a new ambulance using the lower-cost option and approved hiring Andrew Patterson as a full-time paramedic at $19.20/hr.
The Spencer County Fiscal Court approved three EMS actions Jan. 5: purchase of narcotic safes using opioid-settlement funds, outfitting a new ambulance and hiring a full-time paramedic.
EMS presenter Robert Klinglesmith presented a Knox/MedVault quote for narcotic safes and recommended using opioid-settlement funds, citing compliance with state statutes and federal guidance. The Court approved spending $15,694.00 from opioid-settlement funds to purchase narcotic safes and a one-year KnoxConnect cloud license. Mr. Klinglesmith also suggested forming a committee to flesh out a post-overdose response team; the Court did not take immediate action on that proposal.
On fleet management, the Court voted to maintain a six-vehicle EMS fleet and to outfit the new ambulance (expected May 2026) using the lower-upfront-cost "Option B" so the unit would be ready at delivery. Court members discussed keeping the vehicle being replaced available as a response unit.
On staffing, the Court approved hiring Andrew Patterson as a full-time paramedic at $19.20 per hour after current part-time staffer Zach Moore could not continue in the full-time role. Motions to approve the safes purchase, the fleet decision and the hiring were carried by voice votes with Judge Travis absent.
Why it matters: approved equipment purchases and staffing decisions affect EMS readiness and compliance with narcotics-handling expectations, while the fleet decision commits county resources to maintaining two simultaneous response units.
