Previously, multiple comments have been raised by Christiansburg elected officials and citizens that they get “nothing” for their County paid tax money. Well, that County tax money goes to a lot of services that the Town of Christiansburg does not provide: schools, jail, social services, court services and a lot other things like these included in the Montgomery County budget for 2010-2011 (they are in previous budgets as well) all going to the Rescue Squad:
- $53,000 extra to the Town of Christiansburg for operating expenses for the Riner sub-station
- $155,027 for the replacement of an ambulance
- Additional funds used as the County provides:
- Vehicle insurance
- Life Insurance
- Workers compensation
Next time you hear someone say that the Town gets nothing from the County as a result of the County taxes, simply ask the person where are the Town schools? Where is the Town Jail? Does the Mayor hold Court as allowed by State Codes? What would it cost for the Town to support it’s own Rescue Squad entirely if the County removed its contributions?
Just a few things to think about. All of those things would be the responsibility of Christiansburg residents if the Town move to City status. If it were cost effective to do so, if they were not getting money from the County to provide these services or having the County provide them entirely, the Town of Christiansburg would already have become the City of Christiansburg.
In fact, the Town of Christiansburg could save a lot of money by doing what State Code allows and sharing many of the services it already has with the County. Joint Planning Commissions, joint Planning Depts, and many other areas could be combined and save taxpayers in County and in the Town a whole lot of money. But, you have to be willing to set aside egos in order for those types of things to happen. You have to quit thinking in terms of Us vs Them and start thinking about We.
By the way did you know that there is no contract/agreement for services by the Christiansburg Rescue Squad with Montgomery County? Did you know that the standards for calls Christiansburg Rescue Squad responds to in the County fall under County guidelines while those within Town fall under the Town of Christiansburg emergency services plan? Has anyone ever seen that plan?
There is no Advanced Life Support umbrella in Montgomery County. Each squad is required to obtain and maintain its own designation. (The State EMS site lists Christiansburg as being an Advanced Life Support Group.)
Just a bit of food for thought!
