A citizens committee studying how to replace ambulance service in Buchanan County is less than a week away from a major decision. Presiding Commissioner RT Turner says the ballot issue that will go before the voters in November will be decided August 27. The issue will call for either creation of an ambulance district or operation of ambulance service under county supervision. The decision will follow a public hearing August 26 at 9 am in the Commissioners’ office in the Courthouse.

The citizens committee is planning how to replace Heartland as the ambulance provider by July of next year. One option under consideration is to buy the entire ambulance unit from Heartland–licenses, management, and equipment–and operate it under county or ambulance district supervision. The committee is also looking at contract proposals from two private companies.