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Funding source remains question for Operation Life projects
With all three Putnam County Commissioners in agreement that additional money is needed for both staffing and another vehicle at Putnam County Operation Life, the big question of how to pay for it remains.
After speaking with OL Director EJ Claflin during their regular meeting Monday, the question on commissioners' minds was not if, but how.
"We are in agreement that it's necessary," Commissioner David Berry said. "Now the key question is how are we going to fund it?"
Claflin was at Monday's meeting to follow up on a December discussion of funding the emergency ambulance service. He explained that he was first requesting $137,000 to staff a third ambulance crew available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The OL director pointed out that run volume has increased and the county needs more EMS staff to respond to emergencies.
"It is necessary to have three ambulances 24-7," Claflin said.
"We talked about it in December and I feel it is something we need to do," added Commissioner Rick Woodall, the commissioners' liaison to the OL board.
The money would fund a paramedic and an EMT to staff Medic 3 at all hours through the end of the year.
After that, it will be up to Operation Life to work the additional staff into its budget.
County Councilman Larry Parker, in attendance at the commissioners' meeting, voiced his concern on this matter.
"We already give them (Operation Life) $80,000 a year, and now another $137,000," Parker observed. "Are we going to give them that every year?"
A definitive "no" rang out from both Berry and Woodall, who emphasized this is a one-time expenditure.
Berry initially proposed that the money come from the Economic Development Income Tax War Chest, but other ideas were soon on the table.
County Attorney Jim Ensley suggested that money may also be available in the Hazardous Materials Fund, which is open to more uses following recent legislative changes, as will as the Public Safety Local Option Income Tax.
More information will be gathered on these options, with the commissioners looking to make a definitive decision during their Monday, April 17 meeting.
Also in question at that time will be funding a $65,000 request from OL for remounting the third ambulance.
Claflin explained that following a November crash with a Putnam County sheriff's SUV, insurance paid $83,000 for the totaled ambulance.
This money has been set aside, but an additional $65,000 is needed to complete the remount.
One other question brought up by Parker was the increased presence of STAR Ambulance in the Putnam County community with the recent opening of a Greencastle station.
"How does STAR factor into this?" Parker asked.
"STAR is a non-factor right now," Berry said.
While STAR is available to take private calls from both health care providers and individuals, Operation Life, in conjunction with Roachdale-based PMH Ambulance, remains the county's contracted emergency medical service provider for 911 calls.
"We're under contract with OL through the end of the year," Woodall added. "If they (STAR) want to, they can bid on it. It's a free world.
"We'll cross that bridge when we get there."