SOMERSET, Ky. (March 26, 2024) – Pulaski County Judge Executive Marshall Todd issues statement on The City of Somerset’s March 18th EMS Resolution.
In light of the vote by the Somerset City Council on March 18th regarding the Somerset/Pulaski County EMS, and in an effort to resolve ongoing and future EMS funding issues, we would like to reiterate and clarify the offer that we made on March 12th during the Fiscal Court meeting. Our main priority is to reach an agreement as quickly as possible so that our EMS personnel can remain secure in their future, and our community can remain confident that the outstanding level of services they have received in the past will continue in the future. So, just to reaffirm its future commitment to support Somerset/Pulaski County EMS, Fiscal Court will increase it’s funding to as follows:
- For budget year 2025 the funding amount will increase from
$1,300,000 to $1,450,000. - For budget year 2026 the funding will increase to $1,600,000.
- Beginning with budget year 2027, the funding will increase 2.5 % annually through budget year 2034.
In light of the above budget increases, the County requests that a formal written agreement be entered into between the City and County setting out the following: - That a Board of Directors be established consisting of the Mayor of the City of Somerset, the Pulaski County Judge-Executive, two Somerset Council members, two Pulaski County Magistrates, the Pulaski County Treasurer, the City of Somerset Chief Financial Officer and one Paramedic and one EMT. The City of Somerset would continue as the employer of the Somerset/Pulaski County EMS employees.
- That a qualified independent consultant or firm be retained by the Board to assist the Board in developing a strategic plan to improve the future operations/efficiency of EMS, with Fiscal Court bearing that cost.
- That a detailed financial report be provided on a monthly basis to Fiscal Court and the Somerset City Council.
- In the event it is determined by either entity that the agreement is not in the best interest of that entity, and in order to provide sufficient time to ensure EMS services are not interrupted, the agreement can be terminated by either entity upon 12 months advance written notice from the terminating entity to the non-terminating entity.
Finally, we want to say that we realize what a challenging issue EMS has been for both entities, both financially and operationally, for quite some time. There are many moving and complicated parts to managing an emergency medical services organization and the County looks forward to taking a more active role with the City in that endeavor going forward. In conclusion, we would like to thank the Mayor and City Council for their consideration of this proposal, and the renewed spirit of optimism that working together provides to the citizens of our community.
