The opportunity to expand ambulance and medical transport in Tate County is on hold after the Board of Supervisors agreed to consider a request from an alternate provider.
Allen Dorman, president/ CEO of Medic of South Carolina LLC with operations in Mississippi as MedXpress Medical Transportation Solutions, told Supervisors he received a “cease and desist” letter from county attorney John Lamar after posting on his personal Facebook page plans to offer non-emergent transport services in Tate County.
“The letter said I was absolutely and not allowed to operate an ambulance service of any kind in unincorporated areas of Tate County,” said Dorman, who has lived in Coldwater since 2020.
The county renewed an exclusive three-year contract at a rate of $300,000 annually with its current ambulance provider, Pafford Emergency Medical Services, in July 2021.
“My intentions are not to put anyone out of business and interfere with the county’s contracted provider,” Dorman explained. “But clearly, this county is in need of additional ambulances and services that are dedicated to non-emergent transport that will be extremely beneficial.”
Dorman said his company would bridge the gap if one of Pafford’s three ambulances in Tate County is out of action for several hours while performing a non-emergent or interfacility transport.
“We respect what you are trying to do, but we have to follow the advice and guidance of our attorney,” said Tony Sandridge, President of the Board of Supervisors.
After Lamar recommended Supervisors take Dorman’s request under advisement, he asked Dorman when he anticipated being licensed by the state of Mississippi to begin providing services in Tate County.
“September 1, 2022,” Dorman responded.
Supervisors unanimously agreed to study and review Dorman’s proposal before taking any further action.
Solid Waste Plan amendment approved
Supervisors also unanimously agreed to amend its Solid Waste Management Plan after residents were given until July 18 to submit written statements regarding a tire recycling facility in the western portion of Tate County.
A public hearing on the issue was held June 20.
Local businessman Ricky Matthews previously requested an amendment to the county’s Solid Waste Management Plan allowing a tire recycling plant on approximately 60 acres of his property off Highway 3 in Sarah.
Engineer John Smith said Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality regulations require permits for Matthews’ operation to be part of the county’s solid waste effort which currently does not address waste tires other than from individuals or small quantity sources.
The proposed recycling facility will take whole tires and shred them down to nominal three-inch particle size and allows them to be recycled back into construction materials or stored on site for future processing.
“This is strictly for shredding and grinding tires,” Smith explained. “It’s the opposite of a tire manufacturing plant where tires are heated, and a distinct odor is discharged. This is a cold process.”
County Administrator Cole Massie said the amendment approval gives Matthews the opportunity to apply for a permit with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and before taking the necessary steps toward opening the tire recycling facility.
