COMMISSION TO PAY HALF OF AMBULANCE OVERAGES

August 27, 2008

Calling it a gesture of goodwill, the Stephens County Board of Commissioners votes to pay half of the fuel overages in the Stephens County Ambulance Services’ budget. Tuesday, commissioners voted unanimously to pay just over $14,000 to split the cost of those overages.

Commissioner Harold Andrews says he remains reluctant, but will go along with it. "I find that, as we have been advised by Brian (Ranck, the county attorney), while we have no legal obligation, the hospital has provided very capable management service and oversight for this service," says Andrews. "I would propose that, in the spirit of cooperation, we approve this $14,000-something amount."

Earlier this month, the Stephens County Hospital Authority agreed to pay the other half of the overages. Initially, commissioners had balked at the Hospital Authority’s request to pay the complete amount of the overage, which was more than $28,000.

This marks the third time an overage in the ambulance service’s fuel budget has occurred. According to county officials, it has happened because the costs of fuel have risen faster than expected when the two groups negotiated the contract for providing the ambulance service. That contract comes up for re-negotiation next year