Clay County EMS funding issues resurface

CLAY COUNTY, Texas (KAUZ) - Two Texas bills that Clay County officials thought would be a cushion to the county’s budget in regards to EMS services have now left them looking at potentially making official cuts to the program.

County officials believed HB 3000 and SB 1377 would permit them to properly run the program and allow competitive pay.

After talking with state legislators on the issues that rural EMS services face daily, county leaders - including Judge Mike Campbell - believed the grant funding from the bill would lessen the financial burden the county and hospital take on.

While he expressed he’s grateful the bills passed, the county is now in limbo with difficult decisions to make.

“Well, it’s very concerning because the community depends on when they call 9-1-1, they expect an answer, and they expect someone to come,” Campbell said.

“So, as a result of that, we’re looking at what are the options? We can cut spending, or we can raise revenue. The only way a County can raise revenue is just through increased taxes, and nobody wants to do that,” he added.

Those who live more than 20 miles away from health care fall into regions that experts consider a “health care desert.”

It becomes an even bigger issue living in a county that spans 1,117 square miles, such as Clay County.

“Yet, we still have a need. Even if just a few people live at each end of the county, they deserve to have an ambulance service because it’s threatening,” Campbell said.

In March, Campbell shared how beneficial the grant funding under HB 3000 and SB 1377 would work in the county’s favor, at the time confident it would cover the burden of operating a full-time EMS staff and vehicles. However, the grant only allows for the purchase of EMS vehicles.

“We’re looking at all of the possibilities, we have a really good service, and everything else, and try to find ways to be able to afford to continue what we have right now. Because we’ve got a really good hospital, and we don’t want to do anything to jeopardize either one of them. It just costs money to do it,” Campbell said.

In Clay County, it’s the hospital and the county’s responsibility to fund the operations of the EMS team. Without proper funding, they will have to make plans to cut the team.

“We wouldn’t have as many on staff, so we would lose staff members as well. That’s always frustrating because these guys and gals do a wonderful job,” he said.

Campbell said the financial pressure has also generated new ideas on who can help with the financial issue.

“Every other county, the local communities will pitch in also. I know, for example, Archer City, it’s a joint effort between Archer City and Archer County. Montague does the same thing,” Campbell said.

“Look at the priorities and say, is this important or not, and I think everyone can agree this is important. It’s just about what we can afford,” he said

Campbell said the next steps are being transparent about the budget with the community and letting the council decide what’s best for the community.