Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Emergency Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Supervisors weigh EMS tax and timeline as volunteer ranks shrink
Summary
County emergency-services leaders and supervisors discussed volunteer shortages, rising vehicle costs and options for an EMS or fire tax to fund staffing, equipment and a radio system; staff were instructed to research models used by neighboring counties and return with timelines and cost estimates ahead of budget work.
Supervisors and emergency-services staff focused much of the Jan. 16 meeting on the county's growing EMS staffing challenge and options to create dedicated revenue. Chiefs and administrators said a long-term approach requires funds for personnel, apparatus and radio systems; supervisors asked staff to prepare timelines and models for potential action during the coming budget cycle.
Emergency-services staff told the board they were already researching models in peer localities and noted the State of Virginia allows separate EMS and fire taxes with specified eligible uses. "Well, mister Rourke, you didn't catch me off guard. We're already on it," the emergency-services presenter said when asked about researching tax models. Staff outlined three major cost components—people, vehicle/truck replacement and radio/dispatch systems—and warned that, without new funding, volunteer shortages could undermine service coverage.
