Published June 29 in the Maysville Ledger-Independent

Robertson takes steps to keep ambulances running

By KELLY SUDZINA
Ledger-Independent Staff Writer

MOUNT OLIVET — Robertson County Fiscal Court agreed Friday to put $3,500 more toward the EMS payroll and to have current Director Jim Conley continue running the service until at least July 19.

The fiscal court held a special meeting to discuss further details with an ambulance service provider from Florence called American Emergency Resources. AER is gathering information to determine whether the company can afford to take on directorship of Robertson County’s EMS, which the county and current director can no longer afford to run.

AER representatives asked magistrates to allow until the next regular meeting, July 19, for AER to decide on a proposal. Conley offered to continue running the service until the court gets a response, although the court had to offer supplementary funds in order for him to afford to do so.

The magistrates voted 3-1 to allow Conley to continue, while helping fund payroll. Magistrate David Conley held the dissenting vote, because he said the county cannot afford to pay any more money to the EMS.

“When you’re broke, you’re broke,” David Conley said. “We knew this was going to happen. We’ve been talking about it for 10 years.”

AER spokesman Dr. Tony Albano looked over the EMS budget numbers from the past year during the meeting, and agreed the service may be in somewhat dire straits.

“It’s a tribute to the government you have down here and the people working on the EMS that you even have a service here, looking at the run volume,” Albano said. “I think if we take your system to breaking even, it will be incredible.”

Albano said the company may be willing to take a small loss on Robertson County, partly because he said he would hate to see a good, dedicated staff lost. AER has recently taken over Nicholas County’s ambulance service and Albano said Robertson County may work out as part of a regional system.

If AER proposes to direct the service, the company will expect some contribution from the county to cover costs, which may include insurance on vehicles and the building, vehicle costs and utilities, excluding telephone. Judge-Executive Bradley Gifford said the county cannot afford to give any more than $18,000 a year, an amount that was nearly reached this year.

The county budget covered the EMS’ utilities, including electric, water and natural gas, at a cost of more than $3,000. Fuel for the vehicles cost about $1,800 and the county gave $11,500 to cover payroll costs. 

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