When asked about the expense of the lease/purchase arrangement by chairman Bowden, who noted the truck will cose $315,000 by the end of the 15 year lease, Overman explained that the department is already paying $19,000 a year on a loan made for a truck costing $105,000 comparable to the lease/purchase terms.

Nonetheless, county manager Bill richardson noted that the issue should have been brought up by the department during its budget work session with the commissioners.

There has been plenty of talk about making some organizational changes with the arrangement between the county and the departments.

Adding paid people to what had been an all-volunteer work force has been good and bad.

Some question how much is being spend by the departments, and on what. Others think the commisioners are too far detached from what the departments do to criticize, or cut, their budgets.

Call volume is ever on the increase.

With the nearest hospitals not near at all, it becomes more important for local emergency personnel to be well trained. That means more time for training, much more time, maybe to much to expect of a volunteer.

Vice chairman Miller has been talking with the departments lately about where changes need to be made.