Todd County Fiscal Court approved first reading of a budget for the upcoming fiscal year during a special-called meeting Tuesday morning.
The $12.8 million budget is an increase from the current fiscal year’s $9.2 million spending plan and Judge-Executive Todd Mansfield says part of that is spending federal COVID relief money and anticipated projects that would utilize grant funds.
It also includes a 6.5 percent pay raise for county employees and Judge Mansfield says it’s much-needed to keep good workers from looking elsewhere.
The budget does not include any anticipated tax increases.
Meanwhile, Com Care has sent Todd Fiscal Court a letter saying due to a statewide staffing crisis, poor prehospital reimbursement and elevating operating costs, they are currently unable to submit a bid to continue providing EMS services to the county. CEO John Holder says they remain hopeful that given the opportunity, they may be able to bid again in the future.
Com Care has contracted with the county to provide EMS services the last decade and also provides services in Logan, Ohio, Caldwell and Crittenden counties.
Judge Mansfield says the EMS services will be rebid and he’s hopeful Com Care will reconsider and place a bid to continue its services.