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The Greene County Legislature may soon vote on a proposal to create a countywide ambulance service. This initiative aims to address staffing challenges faced by individual towns in the county. The proposed consolidation would replace the existing municipal services with a unified system, potentially making emergency response more sustainable and efficient.
According to the Daily Gazette, eight out of 14 towns in Greene County have reported difficulties in staffing their EMS services. A study by Fitch & Associates highlighted that a countywide service could streamline operations and improve sustainability. However, the plan's estimated cost of $15 million has raised concerns among legislators. The county currently spends about $7.5 million on EMS services, with a proposed tax levy increase of 20% to cover the new plan's expenses.
A workshop is scheduled for October 22 to discuss the plan further. Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden anticipates a split vote among the 14 legislators, which could complicate the decision-making process. Groden mentioned that the vote would be weighted based on population, potentially affecting the outcome.
Some legislators, like Patrick Linger, have expressed disappointment over the plan's cost. The Times Union reports that a straw poll revealed an even split among legislators, reflecting a lack of consensus. As an alternative, Groden proposed direct payments to towns to help offset EMS costs, although this would not address the staffing shortages.
The county has also received information about potential Department of State Consolidation Grants, which could provide up to $1.25 million to support the plan. The decision on the consolidation plan remains pending, with discussions ongoing to find a viable solution for the county's EMS challenges.