Floyd County Council tables vote on income tax increase to pay for new multimillion-dollar EMS contract

NEW ALBANY, Ind. (WDRB) -- The Floyd County Council and Commissioners have been working for months to have a county-side ambulance service, and were close to taking the first step.

But a vote on an income tax increase to pay for a new multimillion-dollar EMS contract was tabled after a public hearing Tuesday evening.

Floyd County residents weighed in on what's likely to be a tax hike to pay for a new ambulance service for the area.

The EMS climate in southern Indiana has been in turmoil since last November when New Chapel EMS was tied to controversy after its former CEO and former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel was charged with using department money to fund his and his family's lavish lifestyle. Noel faces at least 31 felony charges related to fraud, misconduct, theft, ghost employment and public corruption after a nearly yearlong investigation that is ongoing. Another 10 charges were filed against him in early February, including theft and tax evasion.

Floyd County was being charged $200,000 a year under the contract with New Chapel EMS, which expired June 1. And after Noel was arrested, the county started looking elsewhere for services.

Ameri-Pro, a private company, now provides service to most of the county, and the company currently has a separate deal with the city of New Albany. Highlander Fire, which has existing ambulance service for the area, picked up the remaining smaller portion of the county.

Floyd County had budgeted this year for new ambulance services, raising $1.1 million to pay for the remainder of the year. And while the contracts are funded through the end of 2024, the county must find a way to pay roughly $3.5 million to cover the next two years.

"We looked at all options when it came time to redo these contracts and we feel like we went with the best choice," said Danny Short, president of Floyd County Council. "And now, we just have to pay for it."

For months, commissioners and councilmembers have debated how to cover the county with ambulance service, and coming to a shared vision has been a challenge.

"We have some incremental steps laid out, to me that is responsible government," Short told WDRB Tuesday evening.

Three options are on the table and all of them would increase the county's local income tax rate. Short said the council is leaning toward the option to add an Emergency Medical Service rate of 0.2%.

"For enhanced services, we have to find a way to pay for it," he said. "I'm not a fan of a tax increase ever."

Below is a breakdown of what that would cost the average Floyd County resident per year:

Someone making $50,000 per year would pay $100 more
Someone making $75,000 per year would pay $150 more
Someone making $100,000 per year would pay $200 more

Judy Stallings, who has lived with her husband in Floyd County for nearly 40 years, said they've had to use the county's ambulance service several times to handle his strokes and seizures. She said they don't mind paying for quality service.

"We would be OK with that," Stallings said. "But I do have pity on struggling families that that might make a big difference for them."

A countywide tax would include the taxpayers of the city of New Albany. A portion of the new revenue would have to go to New Albany, which already has ambulance service.

Ultimately, the council chose to table a vote, meaning the options will wait until the next meeting.

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