By Jessica Johnson
Mtairynews.com
SURRY COUNTY, N.C. — Surry County Emergency Medical Services is asking for an increase of roughly $450,000 in the 2013-14 operating budget, but most of that is for capital expenses.
The budget request, as presented to the Surry County Board of Commissioners, asks for $5,455,364, up from the present year’s budget of $4,997,082. John Shelton, Director of Emergency Services, said the budget request includes $652,000 for capital needs, which actually leaves the operating revenue request at nearly $200,000 lower than the present budget. Shelton explained that EMS expects to reap an expected $345,000 for 2013-14, with a newly created Convalescent Service that is “averaging $32,000 to $40,000 per month” in revenue, thus lightening a bit the request to the county.
But, the capital requests are items that he said need to be addressed. Top priorities for Surry County Emergency Services include refurbishment of three ambulance units with more than 300,000 miles each and a request for essential heart monitor/defibrillator/invasive monitor equipment for 15 monitors that have seen more than 20 years of service.
Full story: Surry County EMS budget requests include essential equipment