At a recent specially-called meeting of the Stanly County Board of Commissioners, the board passed two motions on budget amendments including new vehicles for the sheriff’s office and ambulances for the county.

An amendment passed unanimously by the board included three new ambulances the board is approving. County Manager Andy Lucas said the county has not gotten the loan yet, but it wanted to have a budget amendment in place once one is secured. The county will then pre-audit a contract and have a purchase order ready.

The amendment also included a change in vehicles for the sheriff’s office which Lucas said was consistent with what the board approved last year. Instead of Dodge Chargers, which would not be available until next spring, the sheriff’s office will be getting Dodge Durangos, which Lucas said are slightly more expensive.

“It’s my understanding board members seem to be receptive (to the change) so that we could get those cars ordered and get some of our other cars surplused that have high mileage and mechanical issues,” Lucas said.

Another amendment was related to a board decision last year for a divestiture in the certificate of need (CON) for the county’s home health program. The board will consider a resolution to sell the CON at its Monday meeting.

Should the board pass the regulation, a September public hearing must be conducted to receive public input on the sale. The county would then seek bids from other companies to take over the program.

“When the county implemented its home program in the late 1970s, there were no other home health agencies in Stanly County,” Lucas said via email.

He said 12 other agencies now compete for the home health care business in the county.