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Columbia County seeks donated ambulances as commissioners debate staffing and funding
Summary
The Columbia County Board authorized staff to seek donated ambulances from the Lakeshore Hospital Authority and to negotiate an interlocal agreement, while commissioners disagreed over how the county would staff and pay for new ambulances until revenue impacts of a November property‑tax initiative are known.
The Columbia County Board of County Commissioners voted July 2 to direct staff to request donated ambulances from the Lakeshore Hospital Authority and to negotiate an interlocal agreement that would include a clawback if the county does not use the vehicles as agreed.
County staff presented a three‑year cost projection for adding two ambulances, estimating roughly $3.5–$4 million in ongoing annual costs if the county fully staffs and operates the units. Staff noted that if the hospital authority donates the ambulances, year‑one costs could fall by about $1.6 million because purchase expenses would be removed.
“Tell me what you want and I’ll figure out how to fund it,” the county manager said while stressing the board will need to finalize staffing and funding plans after November, when the county will know whether a proposed property‑tax amendment affects revenues.
Fire Department leadership warned that using existing firefighters as ambulance crews raises operational risks. Fire Chief Lance told commissioners the department is fully staffed only at minimum levels and that assigning firefighters to long ambulance shifts could reduce fire‑response capacity.
Rather than commit to immediate hires, the board approved a motion asking staff to pursue the donation and to draft an interlocal agreement that would include legal assurances for the hospital authority. Commissioners left a final decision on hiring and specific funding sources to staff after expected revenue updates later this year.
The board also approved nonbinding ballot language for a half‑cent public‑safety sales tax to help fund EMS operations; that straw poll will be placed on later ballots only if the board pursues a binding measure and follows state requirements for language and translation.
