| Financial concerns over the operation of Calhoun Emergency Medical Services, Inc. were expressed Thursday evening during a special meeting between EMS managers and board members and the Calhoun Commission.
The vital issue is the maintaining of ambulance service to county residents.
A recent audit received by Calhoun EMS for the year ending June 30, 2010, indicates a nearly $40,000 liability or hole in the agencies budget, which prompted Director Josh Johnson and EMS board members to recently obtain a $20,000 loan to maintain operation.
Calhoun EMS receives $137,533 annually from levy money approved by county voters, which Johnson has said is not enough funding, further complicated by uncollected bills from users.
Johnson said users owe the ambulance service $131,000 since 2007, also saying the call numbers have continued to decrease for several years.
Commissioners expressed concern over the financial hole shown in the audit, with Johnson saying his auditor had explained the audit number did not indicate a significant problem.
Commission president Bob Weaver disagreed, saying "My experience says the numbers are red flags."
Commissioners agreed with Johnson, manager Patty Eisley, and EMS board members present, about the critical importance of providing ambulance service to the county.
Johnson said it has always been a juggling situation to "keep our head above water."
During the meeting, the commission reviewed the critical problems in keeping the county afloat, ever increasing costs, shortfalls from funding streams mostly linked to the recession, and a stagnant tax base.
"We have a legal obligation to see that ambulance service is provided to county citizens," Weaver said.
Johnson assured the commission that every effort would me made to maintain services, while others expressed concern about maintaining the service.
Johnson agreed to provide the commission with monthly reports on the agencies finances, to allow monitoring of the situation.
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