Maury commission updates ambulance agreements, grants, recaps rodeo

The Maury County Commission voted this week to adopt a new three-year ambulance agreement with Maury Regional Medical Center.

The agreement will provide $2 million per year, as well as a 5% increase each following year. This would allow Maury Regional to purchase at least two ambulances per year.

The agreement also states that there would be seven 24-hour ambulances on duty at all times, along with two 12-hour ambulances.

The request for more ambulances began in 2023, when Maury Regional Health issued a letter to the county stating the need was based on continued population growth.

The previous agreement allocated $600,000 per year by the county for ambulance services.

Once brought before a vote, the agreement passed 16-1.

More: Questions loom in funding ambulance services in Maury County

Grants awarded to health dept., animal shelter

In addition to the Maury Regional's ambulance agreement, two other Maury County organizations received approval votes for additional grant money.

The Maury County Health Department will also be receiving a grant from the Tennessee Department of Health of up to $1,488,225 through June 30, 2025. The grant is to provide additional medical services to rural areas.

Maury County Animals Services will receive a $1,100 from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture for a low-cost sterilization program for dogs and cats.

Rowland recaps 20th Sheriff's Rodeo

Prior to the main meeting, Maury County Sheriff Bucky Rowland spoke about the recent 20th annual Maury County Sheriff's Rodeo, which he said was "a huge success."

"It was a phenomenal weekend, and I greatly appreciate the bleachers that were donated by [the county], but we need more," Rowland joked. "We could have filled that much more up and then some. By far the two largest nights that there has ever been in that arena for any event."

In addition to a packed arena and vendor alley, the Sheriff's Rodeo is also held every year as a charity benefit for the department's annual Shop with a Cop program.

"We had Christmas in July, and you guys will see the benefits come November and December in how it affects our youth," Rowland said.

Rowland concluded by sharing how the event has grown in its 20 years.

"When it started out, it was the SROs and the reserves, and now it's truly the Sheriff's Department's rodeo. and it's everybody involved," Rowland said. "It's the community's rodeo is really what it is. The proof is in the pudding, and over the last 10 years it's just gotten bigger and better."

Jay Powell is a general reporter for The Daily Herald. Get up-to-date news in your inbox by subscribing to The Daily Herald newsletter at www.ColumbiaDailyHerald.com.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Maury commission updates ambulance agreements, grants, recaps rodeo