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Nottoway grapples with EMS funding and dispatch overhaul as squad reports major shortfall
Summary
Board members heard that the Nottoway Emergency Squad faces large deficits and debated payroll contributions, county employment of EMS staff, purchasing squad assets and creating an EMS/fire tax levy; the county also approved creating a grant fund and advancing up-front money for an EMS dispatch CAD/total-response system while seeking rapid grant reimbursements.
A sustained discussion at the meeting focused on the county’s emergency medical services (EMS) capacity and the dispatch center’s training and staffing needs. Supervisors and public safety leaders described the Nottoway Emergency Squad’s reported financial shortfalls and billing/collection challenges and evaluated multiple response options including county payroll contributions, county employment of EMS staff, purchase of squad property and equipment, and creation of a dedicated EMS/fire tax levy.
Michelle (Sheriff’s Office/dispatch) told the board dispatch staffing and training have suffered from turnover and inadequate internal training infrastructure; she asked the board to approve a consultant to build a training program and a staffing plan. The consultant fees were estimated in a range (roughly $50,000–$150,000 depending on vendor), and Michelle said she had identified an $80,000‑level proposal she believed appropriate. The county was also pursuing a grant from the Office of EMS to reimburse the procurement of an integrated CAD/’total response’ system (including CAD mapping and integrated triage protocols). Bowen and others proposed using unbudgeted timber‑sale proceeds to create a temporary 'grant fund' to front the $73,097 total‑response item and related costs while awaiting reimbursement; the board approved creating the grant fund and placing timber proceeds as seed money.
Board members debated longer-term options. Some favored continuing payroll contributions but said that model provides limited county control; others argued for making EMS staff county employees (with benefits and VRS retirement) to secure stable payroll and oversight. Legal counsel told the board the squad’s bylaws lacked certain dissolution or governance clauses and recommended staff review incorporation filings, deeds and liens to inform any plan to acquire assets or convert services to county-run units. Several supervisors signaled that a dedicated EMS/fire tax levy under Va. Code could be necessary to sustainably fund services; staff will solicit public input and return with more detailed options and cost estimates.
