Budget and Contractor Approved
Pictured are L-R seated: Philip Gearlds, Larry Wilson, Garland Gilliam, and Shawn Estes. The board questioned Andrew Collins of Collins Custom Homes on items included in his bid. Photo | PJ Martin
By PJ Martin
Editor
The Herald-News
The Ambulance Service Corporation, Inc. Board of Directors met on Wednesday, April 22, at the Metcalfe County Fiscal Court room.
The first order of business was the roll call, and the following members were present: Judge/Executive Jamie Byrd, Judge/Executive Larry Wilson, Garland Gilliam, Phillip Geralds, and Ervin Sorrell. The only member absent was Dr. Neil Thornbury.
Also in attendance were Attorney Brian Pack, Executive Director Joe Middleton, Executive Secretary/Treasurer Shawn Estes, and from The Herald-News, PJ Martin.
The minutes from the February 25, 2026, meeting were reviewed and approved as written.
Finance Reports
The finance reports for February and March were presented by Executive Treasurer Shawn Estes, who began with February, “…total adjusted receipts were 5.35 million, adjusted expenses were 4.9 million, with a net income of $235,893 (YTD). We should be tracking at 66% of the budget, and we are at 62.5%.”
The February financial report was approved.
Estes then presented the March financial report, “…actual adjusted receipts, $5.33 million with adjusted expenses of 4.98 million with income of $318,335 (YTD).”
He noted that, “We should be tracking at 75% of the budget, but we are at 71.7%.”
The total cash on hand as of March 31, 2026, is $1,552,527.98. The March financial report was approved.
Operations Reports
Middlton began with the run log, pointing out there were 864 runs in February. That is 1,839 for the year to date for 2026. March had 1,007 runs for a 2026 YTD of 2,846.
He then referenced the Response Report, showing that the Airport location made up 32.37% of the runs, Headquarters made up 52.53%, and Metcalfe made up 15.10%. Metcalfe was slightly increased, and Barren was slightly decreased.
Run volume by district and by station. Chart provided by the Ambulance Service Corporation
The response report showed an average call time of 51 minutes and 49 seconds, with the turnaround time at the hospital just less than 28 minutes.
Training Report
All the students from the EMT and Advanced EMT courses have completed their requirements. One Paramedic student in the KCTCS program is taking the National Registry exam, and a second is currently completing the course requirements. One Paramedic student from Campbellsville University is scheduled to complete in late August.
The in-house Paramedic Program has one student in partnership with Hopkinsville Fire and EMS. Four more students are enrolled, and the program is scheduled to finish in late July.
FY 2026-27 Budget
The finance committee chairman, Dr. Thornbury, was not present, so Attorney Brian Pack presented the FY 2026-2027 Annual Operations Budget. “There’s an increase in certain line items, but the increase in revenue that we’re already seeing on our financial statements here today.”
Middleton stated that the airport loan is going to be paid off, and that is money to use elsewhere. The money for the Haywood Station construction, switching out some ventilators, and garage doors at the headquarters was all added. “So, we present to you a cost-neutral budget and are open to any questions.”
The budget was approved with no major questions.
Construction Bids and Loans
Three bids were received for the construction of the Haywood Station: Collins Custom Homes bid $579,275, Scott, Murphy, and Daniel bid $796,000, and Curley Construction bid $850,000.
A representative of each company was given time to speak and answer questions from the board about the bid that they submitted. Questions were asked, such as the drainage required around the building, the thickness required for the concrete in the ambulance bays, and whether a backup generator was included in the bid.
After much discussion and the addition of the generator, the construction contract was presented to Collins Custom Homes, and the groundbreaking will take place in May.
The next item involved proposals that were given to finance this project. “What our goal would be is to develop a construction loan, take draws out of the construction loan, and then transition that loan to a mortgage loan over a term of 20 years,” explained Middleton.
Three banks presented loan information: Sicilian Bank, Edmonton State Bank, and German American Bank. “Mr. Estes was involved in collecting that data, so I would yield to him for discussion,” said Middleton.
“Just a quick overview of the Sicilian Bank. It was a million-dollar commercial construction to permanent. It’s fixed for five years, and the rate was 4.68%. It has an amortization over 20 years on that payment. Evidence on the Edmonton State Bank, theirs was construction to permanent loan as well. The interest rate is at 3.6%. It has a five-year fixed rate. And it is amortized; we have options on amortization on it. 10-year, 15, or 20-year amortization payments on that, and the German American has a couple of options. One was a nine-month construction, all about 10 months full on, at a rate of 6.5% fixed for the first five years. And then option two was similar, it was a reduced rate based on a relationship banking with them.” Estes then added, “Obviously, with the rates, my recommendation would be with Edmonton State Bank, because of the rate of 3.6 being the option for the amortization.”
When looking at the length of the amortization, Middleton reminded, “There’s a potential that over the next year to two years, we could construct another building on our other front. Depends on how you want to grow and how quickly you want to grow.”
The motion was made to go with ESB in the term of the 20-year AM 3.6% rate. Five-year fixed. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.
The date for the groundbreaking will be set later, but hopefully in the 2nd week of May.
The next meeting is scheduled for June 24, 2026, at 4 p.m. in Barren County, and with no other business, the meeting was adjourned.
