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Officials from Carsonville, Port Sanilac, and Sanilac, Bridgehampton and Washington townships have been trying to figure out a way to station an ambulance in Carsonville. Currently ambulances have to come from Sandusky, Deckerville or Croswell, which makes for longer response times.

"Like everything else in government, you have to decide what are your priorities," said Sanilac Township Supervisor William Noelke.

"None of us have it in the budget...People don't realize how expensive it is," he added.

McKenzie Hospital, which operates Sanilac EMS out of Sandusky and Deckerville, provided three options:

Option 1. Two paramedics with one paid and one volunteer 24/7 at a total cost of $197,251 per year;

Option 2. Two paramedics for a 12 hour shift at a cost of $118,792, even assuming they could get someone to volunteer;

Option 3. Sign a contract with McKenzie for the ambulance service currently provided to the area.

These costs are on top of what the hospital thinks the service could bring in through insurance etc.

"All three townships chose option three, it is the least expensive," said Noelke.

"For Sanilac it would cost $99,000. That is a ton of money and we are the largest township," he noted.

The township has $40,000 in the budget for ambulance service, which is based on the numbers from the past three years.

"We spend the most on roads, gravel and brining. Last year we spent $130,000 on gravel and brine. That is the major portion of our budget. We've already spent $70,000 on our roads this year," Noelke added.

Now that they know how much it would cost, the municipalities will see if there are any grants for ambulance service.

McKenzie's Chief Financial Officer Ron Srebinski said they are looking into staffing to see if they can place a back-up ambulance any closer to the area during the summer.

"The money is not there...They (voters) think this millage on the ballot is for ambulances, but it is for Med Control," stated Washington Township Supervisor Shirley Feirer.

"We really need a county-wide ambulance, but I do not think that is going to happen," she added.