Floyd County residents face new income tax for ambulance service starting next year

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Floyd county residents are preparing for a new income tax that will begin Jan. 1, 2025, and part of the money will be used for ambulance service. This tax probably wouldn't have been needed had it not been the actions of one man.

When Jamey Noel, former Clark County Sheriff, was in charge of New Chapel EMS, the company gave Floyd County taxpayers a deal, but that deal is long gone. And the issues with New Chapel were just the latest, in a long history of EMS issues.

“Providers like we have had in past, before New Chapel, would just close up shop and leave they would go some place where they could make more runs,” said Danny Short, Floyd County Council President.

In an effort to control ambulance service in the county, Floyd County Council and Commissioners are looking to establish their own ambulance service, which comes with some start up costs.

“That has been the recommendation of the EMS advisory board is to move to a county-owned, county-operated entity,” said Short.

Paying for this new venture will require taxpayer money. The tax is $500 a year for a person making $100,000. The idea of paying for ambulance service doesn't exactly thrill Greg Gettelfinger.

“Maybe a couple dollars a pay period,” said Gettelfinger.

He is quick to blame Jamey Noel for the added expense, that will be coming from his pay check.

"He took them over the coals,” said Gettelfinger.

The county is expected to collect a little more than $6 million a year with the new income tax.

Currently, the county is paying AmeriPro EMS $1.5 million to provide ambulance services. The balance of the new tax money is expected to free up other expenses from the county general fund, while providing a nest egg to start a county-owned ambulance service.

The final council vote is next week.

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