A little static
Butler County will still pay 75 percent of the $4 million cost for the various radios emergency responders will use when the new 911 system is up and running, but one county commissioner thinks more discussion is necessary regarding whether for-profit services should also benefit.
The county commissioners voted 2-1 Wednesday to pay three-quarters of the cost for the radios, with Kevin Boozel dissenting.
Boozel said nonprofit ambulance services are struggling to stay afloat while the two for-profit ambulance services, Butler Ambulance Service and Superior EMS in Grove City, charge for their services and could make payments for their radios.
Boozel said no financial hardship was proved by the for-profit services, which could be paying high executive salaries or giving bonuses on the county's dime.
Without the county funds, Boozel said, the nonprofit ambulance services would not be able to get the new radios.
“I think it needs to be vetted a little further,” Boozel said of the county's pledge to pay a portion of the services' costs.
He then made a motion to amend the action approving the 75 percent payment for all services to approval for the nonprofit services and voting on the for-profit services at a later time.
Boozel stressed that he is not against subsidizing the for-profit ambulance services, but is suggesting the commissioners and Steve Bicehouse, county Emergency Services director, discuss the matter further.
Neither Commissioners Chairman Leslie Osche nor Kim Geyer seconded the amended motion, which died on the floor and reverted the action to the original motion to subsidize both the nonprofit and for-profit services.
Geyer said the project to upgrade to a digital 911 system was mandated by the state and that the county is responsible for the safety of the public at-large.
“We want to give them the tools they need to provide service to our residents,” Geyer said.
She said Butler Ambulance occasionally provides service for no compensation in various circumstances.
“I know they provide some billable services, but they are not billing for all services,” Geyer said. “They are going out there and helping people who need help.”
Osche pointed out that the county would retain ownership of the radios belonging to for-profit companies should they go out of business.
She also stressed that a large portion of the Marcellus Shale gas impact fee funds received by the county are being allocated for the new 911 upgrade, which limits the amount of taxpayer dollars going toward the radios.
Osche said some nonprofit emergency services asked the municipalities where they are based to contribute toward the radio cost.
Osche and Geyer then voted for paying the 75 percent for radios for all emergency responders, with Boozel voting no.
Bicehouse said all the emergency services in the county provide excellent service and the radios would provide consistent emergency response in the county.
“I think we owe it to the community,” he said.
The total cost of the 911 system upgrade is about $10 million.
