Anthony Cloud

Staff Writer

The Bell County Fiscal Court awarded bids for type 1 and type 3 ambulances during the fiscal court meeting on Tuesday. The bids include four new ambulances. The bid was awarded to Vehicle Systems Inc.

The last fleet of ambulances were bought in 2007, after an ordinance change involving the insurance premium tax allowed more money to be spent on ambulances. Brock said in 2007 ambulances were breaking down on the Interstate while patients were inside. That is what prompted the change in the ordinance.

Since 2007, the ambulances have accrued 1,052,763 miles. According to Brock, the ambulances drive an average of 210,552 miles a year. On average, the ambulances travel 17,546 miles a month.

Since January, the ambulances made 2,232 runs.

“People have no idea how much these ambulances are on the road,” said Bell County Judge-Executive Albey Brock.

Brock stated the fiscal court does not get paid for every run made by the Bell County EMS. He said the ambulance service is a county operated, taxpayer funded service.

Hinkle Contracting received the “green light” to begin work on the Abbey Lane Bridge. Brock said he would like to get the project done as soon as possible.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Brock.

The fiscal court was able to get the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to put $98,000 toward the project, which is estimated to cost $167,000.

The court approved two new employees during the meeting as well. Steve Robinson was hired as a part-time deputy coroner at $6,251.10 per year. Sarah Davidson was hired as a part-time EMT at $7.25 per hour. Both positions become effective on Thursday.

Other business taken care of included:

• Approval of minutes from previous meeting;

• Pay bills and make necessary transfer;

• Accept treasurer’s financial statement for previous month;

• Accept sheriff’s claim sheet for fee account for previous month;

• Committee progress reports;

• Accept Bell County Sheriff’s 2011 unmined coal settlement;

• Accept Ben Greene Road and Versa Kelly Road into the Bell County Road System in District 1;

• Accept checks in the amount of $39,707.60 from Bruce Bennett, sheriff;

• Accept checks from Becky Blevins, clerk.

Anthony Cloud is a staff writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. He can be contacted via email at acloud@heartlandpublications.com or by phone at 248-1010 ext. 208.