The citizens committee studying ambulance service recommends that Buchanan County take over responsibility when Heartland drops it next July. The CARE committee prefers county supervision rather than creation of an ambulance district or contracting with a private company. The committee is talking with Heartland about buying the entire ambulance operation as a unit and funding it with a sales tax.

The county will hold a public hearing on ambulance service Monday morning at 9 in the commissioners’ office at the courthouse. A final decision on ballot wording for the November election must be made by Tuesday.