Larry Armbruster, President of the Tucker County Ambulance Authority, explains the need within the EMS for the proposed mandatory EMS Ordinance and fee during Wednesday’s meeting. Following his explanation, Armbruster opened the floor for questions and comments about the proposed fee where audience members spoke both in favor of and in opposition of the impending fee.
PARSONS – Following a power point presentation Wednesday by Tucker County Ambulance Authority President Larry Armbruster explaining the need for the upcoming mandatory EMS Ordinance and fee, audience members had the opportunity to once again voice their opinions about the proposed fee.
Tucker County Commissioner Diane Hinkle explained the Commission worked on the structure of the fee to assure folks were equally treated when developing the fee schedule for the proposed EMS Ordinance that would put a $50 mandatory EMS fee on residents. The third and final reading of the proposed ordinance is scheduled for 4 p.m. today during the TC Commission meeting at the Tucker County Courthouse Courtroom. Following this third reading, Commissioners are expected to vote on the EMS Ordinance and if passed, the fee would be included in the upcoming county tax tickets.
Connie Collins said it seems the residents of the county will bear the burden of all the visitors to Tucker County who drive through the area, the tourists and renters.
“It’s not a fair tax,” Collins said.
“It’s not a tax,” Hinkle said.
“Two things,” Armbruster said. “The county shall provide the service. Secondly, they are empowered to enact an ambulance fee ordinance.”
Armbruster said counties surrounding Tucker have mandatory ambulance fees. He explained many residents asked for the county to put a tax on the tourists.
“Ain’t no way that’s going to happen,” Armbruster said. “A tax like that has to be enacted by the Legislature. Cities and municipalities have the right to charge an amusement tax. The counties do not have that right.”
Commission President Lowell Moore said he and his fellow Commissioners had tried to get that changed but explained since that would only benefit Tucker and Pocahontas Counties, it was not a priority of Legislators from the other 53 counties in West Virginia.
“But this is a largely senior community,” Collins said.
“That is why we need an ambulance service,” Armbruster said. “About 46 percent of the people are seniors.”
“But lots of people leave on social security and cannot afford to add another item onto their bill,” Collins said.
“$50 a year is less than $1 per week,” Armbruster said. “That comes out to about 15 cents a day.”
“Why should taxpayers in Tucker County support Timberline and Canaan Valley Ski Area?” Jim Nelson asked. “That’s the problem I have. I know they come here and spend a very little bit of money. They will ski and then they bail out of here.”
“The EMS is obligated to serve everybody,” Moore said. “We can’t be selective.”
Fred Herz, one of the owners of Timberline Four Seasons Resort, said he wanted to offer some solution as far as Timberline was concerned.
“Obviously you are right,” Herz said. “The ability of tourists to know they have good EMS service is critical to our tourism business. If there is poor service, they are going to tell many others on social media.”
Herz said they needed to guarantee there is quality coverage by EMS.
“We need to assure our customers they are going to have the best coverage possible,” Herz said. “We need this tax and we run the utilities, the realty company and the resort. We would be willing to put in our newsletter and insert in utility bills a request to double up the fees so our customers know that the service is not what is should be and that it needs help to be better.”
Herz said they would be willing to get the word out because they can afford to pay more.
Anyone wishing to speak for or against the proposed mandatory EMS ambulance fee can sign up to speak at today’s Tucker County Commission meeting beginning at 4 p.m. in the Tucker County Courthouse Courtroom.
