Forsyth County keeps current ambulance service

Forsyth County commissioners voted 4-0 to stick with current ambulance provider Central Emergency Medical Services.

Procurement Director Donna Kukarola told the board the Central bid was the best of several. She said the current county subsidy to the ambulance service of more than $1.3 million would decrease slightly under a new contract beginning Jan. 1. At the same time Central pledged to raise the number of ambulances serving county residents from seven to eight. She said Central also plans to add a ninth and 10th as call volume reaches certain thresholds.

Kukarola said negotiations will continue on a pay schedule for Central. She said the company proposed two options. One would keep the current base transport charge of $775 plus mileage, the other would jump it to $1,275 and mileage. The higher rate would decrease the county-supplied subsidy by $475,000.