In Oscoda County, voters decided on an ambulance millage that would help fund the county’s emergency medical services.
With 649 yes votes and 712 no, the measure failed.
“You can’t keep moving forward losing money. Unfortunately, we are bleeding to death,” said Commissioner Patrick Kelly.
After three months of planning, a plan to provide more and better ambulance service was defeated.
Patrick says the news is devastating.
“I don’t think people realized what’s happening. For us to keep going forward, which we will, we will do our best, but we really, truly needed those funds to keep this ambulance service up and running,” explained Patrick.
The measure lost by about 60 votes.
“For me, it’s very disheartening because I have a child in this county,” said Lanita Olsen, assistant interim EMS director, Oscoda County said.
The millage would have brought revenues closer to expenses, which are continuously in the red.
Aging ambulances, technology and a small staff could’ve been fixed.
“There are times now where we only have one ambulance to cover the entire county,” explained Olsen.
Brian Sukarukoff said, “I think people will really be sorry if we lose our service here.”
Voters like Brian, who is also a firefighter, say now that the votes have been tallied they are concerned.
“I think it’s pretty important that we do have an ambulance service here, and I guess my biggest concern about it not passing is not having an ambulance that we can rely on,” explained Brian.
Olsen added, “We are not closing shop. We can’t afford that for our residences. It’s not the end of things.”
The directors and commissioners will meet this weekend to discuss billing options and ways to move forward.
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