By Samuel Motley
samuel.motley@salisburypost.com 

SALISBURY — Commissioners are reviewing Rowan County Rescue Squad funding and the organization’s focus as part of budget decisions for the 2020 fiscal year, which begins July 1.

Last week, the Rowan County Board of Commissioners took its first look at the proposed 2019-20 budget, in which the Rescue Squad’s funding was moved out of special appropriations, typically the category it is listed under. Instead, the funding is listed as “in contingency,” with the amount appropriated totaling $440,000, according to the proposed budget.

The Rescue Squad acts as a backup for ambulance services and provides assistance on some fire and accident calls. It is a nonprofit agency, not a public agency. However, it receives large chunks of funding from the county. The service has traditionally received some funding from United Way as well.

Asked what “in contingency” means for Rescue Squad funding, interim squad Chief Chris Soliz said the money has been “earmarked.”

However, Commissioner Craig Pierce said that is not yet the case. Commissioners need to vote on whether or not they plan to continue to fund the squad in its current form and if they plan to fund it fully, Pierce said.

Commissioner Mike Caskey said the funding will hopefully be added back to its original place in the budget, special appropriations, by the time commissioners vote on the budget in June.

A potential change to the allocation comes at a time when the Rescue Squad has been debating its future. During a membership meeting in early March, Chief Eddie Cress was placed on administrative leave. He has now officially left the agency, a person familiar with the matter and affiliated with the Rescue Squad said.

No official reason or information on Cress’ leave was given — only that Soliz stepped in as interim chief.

Pierce said there is an ongoing discussion about the Rescue Squad’s purpose and focus. There are several things that the fire services and the Rescue Squad both do, he said.

“We don’t need the rescue service duplicating efforts,” such as ambulance service, Pierce said.

Still, Pierce made a point to say the squad provides important rescue services that other departments can’t handle or aren’t trained to do.

Pierce said those types of rescues are infrequent.

He said it’s not clear that the squad needs to maintain its current number of personnel.

The county now has the choice of upgrading some fire department services, Pierce said. In doing so, the county might also choose to “limit the scope” of the Rescue Squad, he said.

On Wednesday, the county gathered input from fire department chiefs in a meeting, Caskey said. The fire departments are one of the biggest stakeholders in the Rescue Squad service and are supportive of the Rescue Squad, he said.

Caskey said Soliz is collecting input from Rescue Squad members. After that is presented to the commissioners, they will decide on a proposal and what restructuring is needed for the Rescue Squad, Soliz said. The restructuring is related to Cress’ leaving but that was not the cause, Soliz added.

Once decisions are made, Soliz said, the county is expected to allocate funding for the Rescue Squad. The county simply wants to ensure that its contribution to the squad is in the best interest of taxpayers, he said.

Asked about the county’s plan for the future of the Rescue Squad, Commissioner Jim Greene said, “We have no intention in taking them over.” The commissioners “want them to flourish,” he said.

Soliz added that the commissioners and squad members don’t want to see a change in the relationship of the county and the Rescue Squad. And the services provided by the squad will remain the same, Soliz said.

Caskey echoed that sentiment, saying claims that the county will run the squad are rumors.

The Rescue Squad will still be a “stand-alone” organization, he said.

The goal is to “provide the best service for citizens” and to have a “more efficient Rescue Squad,” Caskey added.

Notably, Greene said the county “intends to fund the $440,000” for the Rescue Squad.

The Rescue Squad is extremely important, Soliz said, adding no one wants to see it go away.

Contact reporter Samuel Motley at 704-797-4264.