[twoplanekid]

Thanks Don for your response. With double the ambulances in service, response time should dramatically improve.

I can also understand why costs to Sumter county residents living outside of the Villages might increase. And agree with you that “my understanding is that the rapid response vehicles are being retired and replaced by the ambulances at each station, most of the staffing changes are lateral.” So, there should be very little or no increase costs for payroll, fuel and building space needed for this change by Village residents. The new ambulances will be depreciated over their service life so their cost will be spread out.

I understand you believe that the costs for Villages may actually go down? Slight increase in new costs less what county will not charge Villagers for this ambulance service will be the new Village cost. Yet, I hear from District staff that Villagers cost will increase by not just pennies. So, I am still a little bit confused by the cost increase issues. Plus, how will the passage or failure to pass the new Fire District affect the cost issue.