County confronts Ambulance Funding Crisis Tax Proposal could decide future of Ken-Tenn EMS

The debate over how to keep Fulton County’s Ken-Tenn Ambulance Service alive took center stage recently as dozens of residents filled the room for a tense town hall-style meeting in Hickman. As the ambulance service faces a million-dollar deficit, officials say the choice is clear: fund it together, or lose it entirely.

Local officials presented sobering financial figures, and a proposed special ambulance tax district, calling it the county’s last chance to preserve the service that has been “holding on by a thread” since the local hospital’s closure in 2017.

“This is not my tax — it’s the people’s tax,” Fulton County Judge Jim Martin said.

“If the community wants to keep its ambulance service, this is how.”

Martin explained that the Fulton County Fiscal Court had passed the first reading to adopt the tax on its first reading at its meeting in September. The vote was by the narrowest of margins, a 3-2 vote. 

Martin, who voted for the tax, said if the people of Fulton County did not want the tax or at least meet in the middle, he would vote against the tax when it comes up again at the next Fiscal Court meeting on Monday, Oct. 20, at 9 a.m. at Mills Point Senior Center in Hickman.

Ken-Tenn EMS operates on a membership model tied to city water bills — participation on water meters varies based on area, with current participation ranging between 50%-73% of residents paying into it, for a total of $666,924.  That shortfall, officials said, has left the service with an annual $1 million gap between what it earns and what it costs to operate. Concerning, the service is now seeing a decline in membership, resulting in decreased revenue. 

“If everyone paid their fair share, we wouldn’t even be here tonight,” Judge Martin told attendees. “But we don’t have shared responsibility right now, and we can’t keep borrowing from tomorrow to save today.”

The KTEMS, which covers Fulton County and parts of neighboring Tennessee, responds to about 2,000 calls a year. Nonmember use varies by area – 37% if for South Fulton, Hickman at 60% nonmember use. Nonmembers pay nothing toward the cost of service.

The county is considering forming a Ken-Tenn Ambulance Taxing District, similar to existing taxing boards for schools or conservation.

The proposed property tax would be capped at 10 cents per $100 of assessed value — about $65 per year for a $65,000 home.

A five-member citizen board would oversee the new district, including one representative from each magisterial district and one at-large appointee. The board would manage revenue and review Ken-Tenn EMS funding requests annually.

“This isn’t a blank check,” Judge Martin emphasized. “It’s a system where taxpayers have oversight — and accountability.”

Residents voiced both concern and support. Some questioned fairness across property types and income levels. Others said they were simply tired of the recurring crisis.

Martin said he has heard from residents, who say “We’re sick and tired of fighting over this every few years,” or “If everyone pays the same share, then it’s fair. We all need an ambulance when it’s our turn.”

Martin addressed widespread social media rumors, saying misinformation had fueled confusion about the proposal. “Facebook has been full of half-truths and myths. No one is trying to take over the ambulance service — we’re trying to save it.”

Martin broke down the financial situation of the ambulance service to illustrate the problem. The annual cost to operate Ken-Tenn EMS is $1.8 million, and the current annual revenue from memberships is approximately $800,000, leaving an $1 million estimated yearly deficit. The ambulance service is trying to plug that gap with membership and the tax revenue.

Martin said that 30% of households district-wide are not paying the membership fee and that 49 Kentucky counties are already using similar ambulance taxes.

If  the county relies on taxation alone,  full participation in the current system wouldn’t be enough to offset increasing fuel, staffing, and equipment costs. This is why the hybrid model of taxation and memberships is being proposed. If all households participated in membership, including South Fulton, there wouldn’t be a deficit.

Without new funding, it could force the service to cut back coverage or close altogether. “We can’t grow this community without reliable EMS — that’s just the truth. You can’t ask people to move here or open a business if an ambulance can’t reach them.”

The revenue of each partner community show inequity. The City of South Fulton has 1206 paying members for $265,596 or 35.7%, the City of Fulton has 1032 paying members for a revenue of $242,376 or 32.6%, The City of Hickman has 442 paying members for a revenue of  $141,696 or 19, Fulton County has  422 paying members for a revenue of $90,696   or 12.2% and Other locations have  15 paying members fro a revenue of $3,156 or 0.4%. 

“If you believe you don’t need ambulance service, then vote no, but if you believe your family and your community do — then support it. Because without it, there won’t be anyone to call,” Martin said.