The Daily News Record is covering the the possibility of Rockingham residents having to pay for emergency medical transport services.

 "Rockingham County officials continued discussions this week about charging for emergency medical transport service.

With three approving votes, the Board of Supervisors on Wednesday evening OK'd a motion to draft a contract with EMS Management and Consultants Inc. to do the billing. Supervisors Pablo Cuevas and Dee Floyd said they abstained from the vote because they wanted more information.

After the county attorney creates a contract, the supervisors must still approve the contract and a county ordinance before the service would begin. The board is still not committed to charging for the service and it's unclear when it will make the decision.

With fewer volunteers, smaller donations and an increasing need for service, EMS is the fastest-growing cost in the county's budget, said Joe Paxton, county administrator. Rockingham hires three to five EMS employees a year."

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