| By CHRIS MENEES
Staff Reporter
The South Fulton City Commission has approved a couple of housekeeping matters pertaining to the ambulance service in its community.
The commission gave its approval to an amendment to articles of incorporation for the ambulance service and to bylaws for the Fulton Area Ambulance Service Inc. during its session Thursday evening.
The first action, approval of an amendment to articles of incorporation of Twin City Ambulance Service Inc., changed the existing corporation which lists Fulton and South Fulton as owners to include Fulton County, Ky., and Hickman, Ky., and renamed it Fulton Area Ambulance Service Inc., according to South Fulton city manager Debra Craig.
The second related item involved the commission granting the city’s approval to the bylaws for Fulton Area Ambulance Service Inc., which operates in the Fulton, South Fulton, Fulton County and Hickman areas as Tri City Ambulance Service.
The future of the former Twin City Ambulance Service was in jeopardy last year when it was revealed the ambulance service had reached a critical point in its financial condition. Revenues were derived from emergency medical services billing and membership fees, but participation in a voluntary subscription membership program had steadily declined and the City of Fulton had subsidized a significant amount of expenses when revenues did not cover operational costs.
After numerous meetings involving the ambulance board, governing bodies and the community, in October 2011, Parkway Regional Hospital submitted a lease proposal for taking over the ambulance service.
However, South Fulton officials expressed concern about a proposed subsidy split and whether it was fair to South Fulton since the city’s response and ambulance pick-up rates are lower than those of the other entities. Ultimately, a revised three-year proposal — with an annual subsidy based on ambulance usage the second and third years — was accepted by South Fulton’s city commission and was submitted to the ambulance board in November 2011 by Parkway Regional Hospital.
Parkway assumed control of the ambulance service Jan. 1.
In other action during Thursday evening’s brief meeting, which was opened with prayer led by South Fulton Mayor David Crocker and with the Pledge of Allegiance, the commission:
• Approved the first reading of an ordinance to amend the city’s zoning map by rezoning properties located on Broadway from B-1 (general business) to R-3 (high-density residential), specifically to rezone property owned by Park Terrace Village Inc. and David W. Collier on the south side of Broadway.
A required public hearing on the rezoning will be held May 8 at 5 p.m.
• Gave authorization to apply for grant funds for bullet-proof vests for the city’s police department. Mrs. Craig said she believes the grant is a 50/50 match, but the officer handling the grant application was not in attendance and she did not have a dollar amount. The commission authorized up to $2,000 for the match.
“It is needed,” she said.
• Was reminded a budget meeting will be scheduled to plan the budget for the next fiscal year.
• Learned the recent Easter egg hunt sponsored by the City of South Fulton and the Twin Cities Chamber of Commerce was very successful, with over 225 children and parents participating. Mrs. Craig said she looks forward to the next community event.
Commissioner Tony Perry was absent from Thursday’s meeting.
———
Staff Reporter Chris Menees may be contacted by email at cmenees@ucmessenger.com. Published in The Messenger 4.20.12 |
