EMERGENCY SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
13 APRIL 2026
Chair Commissioner Caleb Savage opened the meeting, held at the county jail, by asking for any public comments on the agenda, noting the minutes would be addressed next. A motion to approve the 3 November 2025 minutes was made by Commissioner David Wamble, seconded by Commissioner James Lathrop, and was approved unanimously. The Chair then addressed the attendees by clarifying what each presenter would generally be providing and why.
First Agenda Item – EMS update and budget review. EMS Director Walter Daugherty provided the following information. He stated the organization is currently fully staffed resulting in reduced overtime. For the budget he said there are some things to be cut out and he hoped to redirect some of those funds to another need. A goal to reduce the billing administration cost would result in a $70K reduction; removing some unused hardware on insurance will result in a $15K reduction; using an app to do scheduling will result in an $8K reduction; reducing the building maintenance will result in a $20K reduction from previous years; make do with what we have on cabinets rather than purchasing new; travel, unforms, software Line Items also reduced; restructuring staff a $102K reduction. The Chair mentioned the state grant for a stretcher with the Director saying that has been approved for around $30K, which will require approval on the official bid. Commissioner Rick Carpenter asked if there will be quarterly reports with the Director saying yes. Commissioner Gayle Jones in discussing overtime resulted in the Director explaining how overtime is “built” into salaried employees given the shifts and being competitive with other surrounding counties. As mentioned earlier the Director discussed using some of those savings for an ambulance remount, specifically discussing a contractor in North Carolina which would do for $163K and provide in a shorter time than previous contractors had. He mentioned if ordered in August, the remount could be available in mid-November. The Chair said you will still have a lower budget than last year, although numbers not official yet.
Josh Young spoke on the OEM update and budget review noting while the budget is tight this year, there probably will be approximately $3K -$5K turned back as unused this budget year. He discussed the increase in calls received, the capital expenses e.g., the trailer; the barrier system with all approvals but waiting for the state’s contractual action. He noted he had met with the Chamber of Commerce to discuss the Sundrop festival but the state contract may not be in effect to allow the purchase of barriers for that festival (date 13 Jun 2026). On being asked about numbers for the Sundrop festival, Chief Young said around 12-15K people, especially if good weather. He discussed the Homeland Security grant which is not always available annually to the county but was $80K in 2025. For 2026 he noted that Giles County is typically in the running to receive a grant, however if another county has a large project the available funding may be used in that county.
Minor Hill Substation was discussed with Commissioner Evan Baddour mentioning a Resolution which was to authorize determination of an EMS Satellite Station. Commissioner Baddour said there are also other parts of the county, that need better response time, such as Campbellsville. And rather than Minor Hill he said Goodsprings is the hot spot (located near Anthony Hill) getting the most calls for service. He noted the obstacles for another substation, i.e., funding tight; can’t bind future commissioners; but he said he thinks the finances will improve in the next few years. I-65 and new homes being built were mentioned which will increase revenue. He provided some history on the Minor Hill station noting the original potential property had been sold. As a minimum he said this group of commissioners should have an early plan to handout to the next commissioners. The Chair in addressing Director Daugherty discussed having an ambulance satellite Station in Ardmore, Tn at the new fire station, and discussed having a mobile home and storm shelter to provide the necessary heating and cooling needed for both personnel and medical supplies. Commissioner Rick Carpener asked if this would mean an increase in staff, with Director Daugherty saying no because could use Elkton staff, and although have to pay utilities at Elkton this would still save dollars. Commissioner Terry Jones said he liked looking at the Goodsprings area, which would give better access to the southern end of the county. Commissioner Brad Butler asked about the rescue building there and who owns it, with the comment that it belongs to the volunteers, and not much room there either. Discussions were made on insurance, having a safe room at 911, and having a Tier IV for safety but not needed for the whole building. Commissioner Tracy Wilburn gave some history on the earlier approach for Minor Hill, noting there is currently a 30 – 40-minute response time; 1st responders did help but they have disbanded; Minor Hill applied and received a grant and did a design for such a station, and that would take 8 people for all shifts. The Chair said if can’t afford staffing, why do a building. Commissioner James Lathrop noted if a resolution is proposed, that resolution should include a plan on how to pay. Commissioner Baddour reiterated while may not be able to fund at this time, there are still things we can do, e.g., begin to save for it, track where you want to be. An earlier motion from Commissioner David Wamble, seconded by Commissioner Carman Brown, was pulled. Commissioner Roger Reedy said in terms of dollars, we have robbed the 189-budget line item for emergency purposes but there will be about $400K after the county pays off TACNs, and we are already full staffed for the county so no increases for that. The Chair said these stations are for incorporated cities, which if passes at a later time, they can help fund another station. He said this discussion would be brought back after July.
Unfinished Business – none. New Business – Sheriff Purvis in responding to an earlier Law Enforcement meeting question gave some statistics on housing state inmates. Motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Carman Brown, seconded by Commissioner James Lathrop, and was approved unanimously.
ATTENDEES: Committee Members – Chair Commissioner Caleb Savage, other Commissioners James Lathrop, David Wamble, Rick Carpenter, Brad Butler, Carman Brown, James Gentry Other Commissioners in attendance Matthew Hopkins, Shelly Goolsby, Gayle Jones, Joyce Woodard, Erin Curry, Judy Pruett, Tracy Wilburn, Terry Jones, David Adams, Evan Baddour Other in attendance EMS Chief Josh Young, Sheriff Joe Purvis, Chief Deputy Michael Woodard, and members of the public