County Commission | The Magazine March 2019 | Page 34

NEWS YOU CAN USE Establishing a Funding Source for Dale County EMS T hanks to the The county has leadership of struggled with a common Commission Chairman problem: long response Mark Blankenship, Dale times for ambulances and County has established medical first responders, a new revenue stream especially in areas served to support emergency by volunteers. Smaller medical services municipalities could throughout the county. not afford to subsidize revision for 2018 “The money the service. Volunteer generated will be used groups provided critical Blankenship strictly for providing care despite their lack EMS service in Dale County,” of funding, but volunteers with Blankenship said. “If you drive valuable medical skills were burning a vehicle — and most everybody out because of the constant stream drives a vehicle — you’re going to of barbecues and other fundraising contribute to it.” events. PRO TIPS Don’t Overestimate Influence of Social Media Critics – “You can’t listen to the whiners on Facebook,” Blankenship said. “The people who agreed with this need were not being negative on Facebook.” Expect Some Rough Sailing – The make-or- break provision was the distribution formula, and the commission took some heat in public settings while the proposed formula was debated and revised. A solution came in the form of a $5 tag fee that funds a streamlined grant program, administered by the county commission. A range of providers will be eligible for funding, from the full-fledged ambulance service in Ozark to the Marley Mill Volunteer Fire Department, which has medical first responders but cannot transport patients. The tag fee, which became effective January 1, does not apply to tag transfers, replacement tags and trailer tags. The revenue commissioner receives 3 percent to cover the cost of collections. n The Halcyon Group at Morgan Stanley is a proud supporter of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama Paul Winn, CFP® Senior Portfolio Manager Senior Vice President Financial Advisor Lewis Gayden Financial Planning Specialist Financial Advisor Travis Winn Financial Planning Specialist Financial Advisor Pam Kimble Registered Associate Plan Ahead – Money from the tag fee is strictly earmarked for EMS, but volunteer- based services are declining in strength, so the language allows some limited flexibility (includes the option to contract with a paid EMS service when volunteers are no longer available). 34 | MARCH 2019 Morgan Stanley 7515 Halcyon Summit Drive | Suite 300 Montgomery, AL 36117 334-270-2634 | [email protected] © 2019 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC2300781 11/18 Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S.