Press Release from Mayor Young concerning Rescue and E9-1-1

Posted by John Humphress on Apr 12, 2011

I would like to address the needs of our Emergency Medical Services in our community of Campbellsville and Taylor County. It is extremely important that our local governments continue to work together as a team. Our community must be ready to show potential industry looking to locate here that we have Rescue services equipped to handle any emergency. In addition, we must be ready to respond to any emergency involving Green River Reservoir. It is critical that the City and County governments show unity in order for our community to experience growth. As I stated earlier, I feel confident that we’re going to find a positive solution that will be best for us all.

I realize that we are in difficult times not just in Campbellsville and Taylor County but also the entire world. Good decisions must be made to ensure we are efficient and provide necessary emergency services to our citizens.

During the past year I had the opportunity to visit the citizens of the City of Campbellsville two times.

The community expressed concern and frustration for these difficult economic times.Two years ago, when the County broke the Inter-local agreement and the City implemented our own 1% occupational tax, the situation was different than it is in today’s time. We all know the economy has worsened. Costs of operating Emergency Medical Services and E9-1-1 have increased tremendously. Fuel costs, medical supplies, retirement funding, vehicle and maintenance costs, and insurance services have all increased to extreme proportions.

Services (Rescue, E9-1-1, Police and Fire) generally are not income producing businesses. They are what they are, services. Taxpayers have to be willing to decide what level of services they desire for their community and what they are willing to pay for. City and County government only exists because of its taxpayers and both entities have to spend (fund services) according to the taxpayers’ needs and wishes.

In the joint committee meeting last week, five options for funding CTCRescue and E9-1-1 were proposed:

City and County Operate Separate Services:
Duplicating services in both the City and the County is not the answer. It is hard enough for one service to be efficient and profitable. There is not enough room for two separate operations. This would cost taxpayers additional money; another person in charge and additional overhead such as buildings and emergency equipment and paramedic units, hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars.

City Run Rescue and County Run E9-1-1:
Separating the services will not be a solution that will last. Operational costs are continuing to rise and it will be impossible for the City to operate a countywide service without support from the County government.

Taxing District:
I want to make it clear that I will not support a new tax. We have enough tax revenue to support our services. Shifting an imposed tax rate from one area to another (occupational tax to property tax) will promote distrust of elected officials.

The only two options to consider:

City Run E9-1-1 and Rescue with County Monetary Support
I propose the County’s support of Rescue to be $450,000.00. The current City budget would have to be reduced by $200,000.00. I will take that responsibility and allow that financial relief be given to the County. The City will operate E 9-1-1 with the County’s transfer of receipts from the landline fees (which were imposed strictly for E9-1-1 funding). The City would then assume all responsibilities for expenses incurred by E 9-1-1.

County Run E9-1-1 and Rescue
As of July 1, 2011 the County would take over complete responsibility for the operation and management of E9-1-1 and Rescue as a Countywide Service.

The City’s Occupational Tax would be adjusted accordingly.

Just last Sunday, as I was sitting in my office at City Hall thinking over all the options for Rescue funding, I found myself listening to all the sirens coming from Rescue. At that particular point in time, two serious auto accidents had occurred in opposite ends of the county. I thought to myself, how this scenario would play out if we did not have Rescue. I know without a doubt that if I or my loved ones were to be involved in such an accident, I want our Rescue to be on the scene. Just this week, our community experienced another tragic automobile accident. I witnessed the entire station empty out to respond to this accident. We have all thought at times, why do they send the whole station out to an accident, isn’t that a little excessive? In those situations, I think not.

My own family has experienced personal tragedy where Rescue responded. I will always be grateful to these well-trained professionals. These fine individuals are trained to act and react in these difficult situations, a job I don’t believe I could personally do myself.Unless the County agrees to pay a reasonable sum to the City of Campbellsville for these services, anyone having an emergency outside the city limits would not receive the benefit and expertise of Campbellsville-Taylor County Rescue. Example: If a resident of the City of Campbellsville, while traveling in the County, outside the City limits becomes involved in an accident, that citizen would not be entitled to receive care from the best. If the Fiscal Court elects not to provide reasonable compensation as the County has in the past, Campbellsville-Taylor County Rescue would become Campbellsville Rescue.

My desire is to see that Rescue and E9-1-1 services are funded for the entire community. Our community should not settle for just average service. Our community desires the very best. Our community deserves the Campbellsville-Taylor County Rescue.

What can you do? Please get involved. I encourage everyone to contact the County Judge-Executive, Magistrates, Council Members and me to express your desires for the future of Campbellsville-Taylor County Rescue and E9-1-1 Services.

You can call my office at the City Hall phone number 270.465.7011. You may also write a note and put it in the drop box at the Campbellsville Water and Sewer Company drive-thru window.