Council OKs ambulance service increase

Danville City Council voted Tuesday night to let Regional One EMS increase its general service rates as requested, but balked at raising the mileage charges an average of almost 22 percent.

The cost of an ambulance ride depends on the level of care a patient needs, Regional One EMS Director Tim Duffer told council.

Basic Life Support transport is being raised from $300 to $325, with the basic added service fee rising from $50 to $58, while the highest level of transport will rise from $800 to $865, with the service fee increasing from $100 to $105.

There are several levels of service and charges between those rates, which also have been increased.

In addition, Regional One EMS asked for mileage rates to be raised. These rates are charged only for “loaded miles,” and the scale ranged from $10 to $19 a mile. The company wanted to increase the rates to range from $12.09 to $23.52.

Council members grilled Duffer, asking why such a hefty increase was needed less than a year into the company’s current permit cycle.

Duffer quoted raises in costs across the board, but noted that the company was about $35,000 over budget on fuel costs for the year as a result of diesel fuel prices hitting $5 a gallon at its peak.

Council members Buddy Rawley, Fred Shanks and David Luther all said they could not support the level of increase asked for since gas prices have gone down.

Luther asked City Attorney Clarke Whitfield what the ramifications of not allowing the increase could be. Whitfield responded that Regional One, as a private company, could choose not to supply services in the city.

Luther asked Duffer if a 10 percent mileage increase would be acceptable for now, with the understanding that Regional One ould come back to council again if there is a significant fuel increase.

Duffer agreed to the reduced mileage increase, and council voted to pass the amended proposal.

Councilman Larry Campbell’s proposal to raise the lodging tax from 3 to 4 percent to help fund the Department of Social Services’ Emergency Crisis Assistance Program also receive a mixed response during its first reading.

While Campbell and Council members Adam Tomer and Gary Miller strongly backed the proposal, Shanks, Luther and Rawley objected to raising lodging taxes to fund the program, which provides utility relief for those in need.

Shanks said he thought the program should be funded through the regular budgeting process, rather than through a tax increase.

Laurie Moran, president of the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce, said that while the chamber recognizes the need, it does not believe raising the lodging tax is the proper way to address it. Moran said she would be working on suggestions she will bring to the public hearing on the proposal at the Dec. 16 meeting.

The Rev. Cecil Bridgeforth also said he doesn’t agree with raising the lodging tax to meet the need.

“That’s asking outsiders to pay our burden,” Bridgeforth said.

He proposes getting property owners to winterize their properties so utility bills will decrease.

Mayor Sherman Saunders sent out an appeal for all citizens to submit ideas for helping people — particularly the elderly, disabled and those with small children — with utilities costs.

“I’m asking anyone with ideas, in lieu of raising taxes, to please let us know,” Saunders said.

Contact Denice Thibodeau at or (434) 791-7985.