The Crossville City Council will reconsider implementing an ambulance service after a discussion during Tuesday’s work session.
A presentation to the council showed that implementing an ambulance service would take an estimated $3.72 million, but the service would bring in an estimated revenue of $2.2 million. The council said there are some grants and other funding that the city could pursue to help with startup costs. Council Member Mark Fox said finding initial funding is not a guarantee, but he believes the funding is possible.
“That will be in addition to transport and care revenue,” Fox said. “So I think that’s certainly something that can be put to offset that difference between the $2.2 million of collection and up to $3 million operating expenses.”
Council Member Mike Turner said he believes an ambulance service could work in Crossville if done right. Turner said he wants transparency on how an ambulance service would impact the taxpayers.
“At the end of the day, it’s gonna fall on the taxpayers of the town,” Turner said. “And do our people want this? Lots of people have said ‘yes, we want this, it would be great for our town’.”
Mayor RJ Crawford said he still believes that since the County EMS Department is losing an estimated $2 million a year, then the county would reduce its ambulance service if the city implemented an ambulance service. Crawford said he still has not changed his stance on now not being the right time for an ambulance service.
“In a perfect world, I would like to have 20 ambulances taking care of every square meter of the city, but we also need to live in reality, right,” Crawford said. “So, for me, the cost-benefit analysis is still not there, but it’s still the same conversation that we had 90 days ago, and I have not really seen a great presentation. I think in a perfect world that would be great, but for me, it financially doesn’t make sense, not yet, you know, and that’s where I am at.”
Council Member Mike Turner said he believes an ambulance service could work in Crossville if done right. Turner said he wants transparency on how an ambulance service would impact the taxpayers.
“At the end of the day, it’s gonna fall on the taxpayers of the town,” Turner said. “And do our people want this? Lots of people have said ‘yes, we want this, it would be great for our town’.”
The council will vote on an ambulance service next Tuesday. Crossville Fire Chief Chris South said at the end of the presentation that he provided all of the information, so the city could be ready no matter how the council votes. If voted down, the council will have a 90-day period during which the council cannot reconsider the ambulance service.