More to taking back ambulance service than saving money
Editor:
I'm surprised and disappointed former council member Midlam opposes taking over emergency medical services from the county. He based his decision on simplistic, incomplete reports in the local newspapers.
The issue wasn't saving $159,000; it's where and how more than $500,000 is spent.
The county will collect about $2 million in ad valorem taxes and EMS user fees. The estimated annual cost of two advanced life support ambulances is $1.5 million, meaning the county will collect $500,000 more than it would cost the city to provide the service.
Council asked how much it would cost to put a third unit at Knights Trail. The estimate: $405,000, which leaves the city $95,000, using round numbers ($159,000 is based on a conservative 7.5 percent annual tax base growth).
But saving money isn't the only consideration. The unit will cut response times to Waterford and Capri Isles more than five minutes and the additional EMS personnel will strengthen our insurance rating.
If the county didn't require Venice to collect EMS impact fees and only charged the true cost of staffing a third unit (about $250,000 less than they're charging us this year), I'd be glad to have them continue providing the service. As it is, we will send more than $1 million of Venice taxpayers' money to the county the next two years to provide our current level of service, and more than $200,000 more than what it would cost the city to provide more comprehensive service beginning in 2005.
Rick Tacy
Venice Vice Mayor
Editor:
I'm surprised and disappointed former council member Midlam opposes taking over emergency medical services from the county. He based his decision on simplistic, incomplete reports in the local newspapers.
The issue wasn't saving $159,000; it's where and how more than $500,000 is spent.
The county will collect about $2 million in ad valorem taxes and EMS user fees. The estimated annual cost of two advanced life support ambulances is $1.5 million, meaning the county will collect $500,000 more than it would cost the city to provide the service.
Council asked how much it would cost to put a third unit at Knights Trail. The estimate: $405,000, which leaves the city $95,000, using round numbers ($159,000 is based on a conservative 7.5 percent annual tax base growth).
But saving money isn't the only consideration. The unit will cut response times to Waterford and Capri Isles more than five minutes and the additional EMS personnel will strengthen our insurance rating.
If the county didn't require Venice to collect EMS impact fees and only charged the true cost of staffing a third unit (about $250,000 less than they're charging us this year), I'd be glad to have them continue providing the service. As it is, we will send more than $1 million of Venice taxpayers' money to the county the next two years to provide our current level of service, and more than $200,000 more than what it would cost the city to provide more comprehensive service beginning in 2005.
Rick Tacy
Venice Vice Mayor
Comment