The Shelby County Commissioners' Court has agreed to resume a $15,000 monthly subsidy for a six-month period to ACE EMS to help provide emergency ambulance service to the county.

 

By a 3-1 vote, with Commissioner Roscoe McSwain voting against, the funds will be taken as they were previously, from the county's Indigent Healthcare Fund beginning Jan. 1.

 

ACE EMS received the same assistance for a 10-month period after the closure of the Shelby Regional Medical Center last year. That original agreement came to an end in October. ACE EMS owners Dale Alexander and David Chandler in their presentation to the court said they have yet to show a profit in two years of business. Alexander said the court's decision allows them to continue their obligation as the county's 9-1-1 emergency service provider.

 

Alexander said, "It's not so much for us than it's for the county for taking care of its emergency needs. We're proud to be able to do what we do. The commissioners are elected to take care of the county and we will do our best to hang in there with them  and do our part with their help."

 

As part of the new six-month agreement with the county, ACE EMS will report to commissioners and provide a financial report upon completion.

 

In voting against the subsidy, Commissioner McSwain said he wanted to see the affects of the new Center Emergency Department's opening on ACE EMS' monthly overhead for at least three months before approval was given to the funding.

 

He added he did not want to see the ambulance service going out of business.

 

In other agenda items, Shelby County Commissioners' approved the county attorney's office Justice of the Peace Pct. 1 office moving to another location on a rent free basis. County Attorney Gary Rholes said a private individual had offered at no charge for five years use of space on Hwy. 7 east at Loop 500. Rholes said the current office is in need of substantial repair and other issues.

 

Approval was also given to JP Pct. 5-elect Michael Crouch to move his office to a space on the Timpson square for $400 a month. The current JP office at Timpson City Hall will not be available at the first of the year as the Timpson PD will be utilizing the space.

 

The court also approved the purchase of a John Deer tractor and brush cutter for Pct. 1, 2 & 3 through the Buy Board; approval for Commissioner Pct. 3 Travis Rodgers to advertise for bids to sell a belly dump, a flat-bed truck and a maintainer.

 

Bonds were also approved for newly elected officials.

 

The county mileage rate will also increase to 57.5 cents to adhere to IRS allowable in 2015.

 

Commissioners gave approval to the Shelby County courthouse and county offices being closed this Friday, Dec. 26, as county employees will use a personal vacation day.

 

Monday was also the final commissioners' court meeting that County Judge Rick Campbell will preside over, as he'll be leaving office Dec. 31. County Auditor Clint Porterfield led the audience in showing appreciation to Judge Campbell for his service. He had these parting comments.

 

Judge Campbell said, "It's been an honor to serve the citizens of Shelby County and wanted to thank those that have supported him. Merry Christmas!"