Monroe County commission passes ambulance fee
Emergency crews save lives, but without them, patients risk dying if they don't get to a hospital on time. Monroe County avoided the cancellation of a Union-based ambulance service by requiring a yearly fee.
"It's very important that the commission has ambulance and medical services for our community," said Monroe County Commissioner, Shane Ashley.
The Monroe County Commission voted unanimously to adopt an Emergency Ambulance Fee Ordinance of $100 per household and Monroe County Commissioner Shane Ashley explains why it's needed.
"Reimbursements were enough from the government and insurance companies to cover the cost, and now that they're reduced, the cost is not being covered and it's just unsustainable," Ashley said.
While the new fee might be a good idea, some residents say the cost isn't being shared fairly.
"It's going to be very difficult for the elderly people in this county and some people feel like it's not equitable as it should be because it just taxes the landowner and a majority of the calls go to the apartments and trailer parks, statistics I've heard, and yet those residents don't have to pay anything," Union resident, Bill Shiflet, said.
"Anytime there's a fee for something and they've gotten it for free for years, both stations in Peterstown and Union have come to the County Commission and asked for this to be put on," added Ashley.
For those who might struggle to come up with the hundred dollars by October, Monroe County is willing to work out a payment schedule.
"We understand that some of this will be a burden on some people, so if they need to make some payments on it, we'll be happy to work with them and extend it out anyway they need to make it work for them," Ashley said.
"The County Commission has been painted in a corner because they kicked this down the road for several years, since 2014, and they are at a point where they have to do something. We're glad that they're going to do something, but some residents will be hurt differently than other residents," Shiflet added.
Monroe County Commissioner Shane Ashley says the county commission will look at the fee every year and if the county gets more revenue from other sources, they will lower the fee.
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