Two members of the Patrick County Board of Supervisors voted against paying monthly bills because they objected to an expense for training equipment.
Both Lock Boyce, board chairman and of the Mayo River District, and Jane Scales Fulk, of the Dan River District, took issue with the purchase of a simulator that is used to help train emergency rescue crews.
Boyce said Patrick County Emergency Services Coordinator Steve Allen spent more than $33,000 on the piece of equipment.
Boyce described the equipment as “some kind of training game. Defibrillators run themselves. We could pay for a lot of classes” for emergency medical personnel with the money that was spent.
He said he would entertain a motion to return the piece of equipment for a refund of the purchase price.
Crystal Harris, of the Smith River District, noted the purchase order was signed off and approved by the county administrator. She also said the cost partially offset by a $17,000 donation from the Hospital Auxiliary.
According to discussion at the meeting, the simulator is compatible with most defibrillators in the county. It is used to program mannequins and then test trainees on various emergency scenarios.
According to discussion, the simulator was being used in Ararat at the time of the meeting.
Jane Scales Fulk, of the Dan River District, said the piece of equipment was not needed, and that the mannequins can be programmed manually.
“If we have this money, that’s wonderful,” but in a tight budget year when the county may not have the funds “it’s not” wonderful, she said.
Boyce said the career service, which began earlier this year, are “undermining and destroying the volunteer system. One thing that’s got to stop is this threatening, random drug testing of my volunteers. It’s got to stop,” Boyce said, adding the volunteers don’t care for the testing.
“It’s not that they’re druggies,” Boyce said. He added a lack of trust prompts concerns among many about test results.
Karl Weiss, of the Blue Ridge District, said he did not understand why the board was revisiting a vote taken last year to set aside $350,000 to shore up emergency services.
“Because it’s going to cost more than” the amount allocated, Boyce said, adding that providing the service cost an estimated $100,000 in the current quarter. “We need to get county employees under control.”
Rickie Fulcher, of the Peters Creek District, said it was his understanding that “one of the biggest concerns” among volunteers was traveling to Stuart for training. The simulator is portable and can be transported to wherever needed for training.
“I think it’s a big waste of money,” Boyce said.
“That’s your opinion, and you have the right to that, but don’t put words in my mouth,” Weiss said, adding those in his district support career services.
Boyce and Fulk voted against paying the bills. Harris, Fulcher and Weiss supported the measure.
In other matters, supervisors:
*Discussed increasing the amount of the Transient Occupancy Tax, from the 20 percent currently collected by the county to the 40 percent allowed by the state. A majority of supervisors opposed the increase. They and others deemed the increase would hurt the tourism sector more than the additional funds would help the county.
Speakers on the topic included Wayne Kirkpatrick, Sandra Belcher (director of Tourism), Steve Terry Charles Vivier and others.
*Heard updates from John Blaylock and Billy Haynes, of AirCare, which is part of an EMS network that serves patients several states, including Virginia, and soft bills for its services. Membership is not required to participate.
*Heard from Roger Hayden, a former supervisor, who discussed concerns about broadband access and related issues.
*Approved a farm brewery that will be owned and operated by Mitchell Sheppard and Chelsea Raby, and located on Salem Highway in Stuart.
*Heard from resident Treena Anderson, who encouraged supervisors to not allocate more than the required local match to the school division.
*Met in closed session to discuss personnel, legal and other matters.
