JEFFERSON CITY -- Administrators at Capitol Region Medical Center are talking about making changes in how their ambulance service operates. KRCG's Monica Madeja reports starting an ambulance district is just one of the options they are considering.

Funding is the issue. Capital Region's president Ed Farnsworth says talks of changing their ambulance service started a few years ago and stopped, until recently.  "We're looking at options because of reimbursement issues," Farnsworth says, "and a need for greater funding to do the things that'd we'd like the ambulance service to continue to do for coverage within the county."

He says they are considering the transfer of their ambulance service to another managing system, the top choice right now is forming a Cole County ambulance district. Farnsworth says any changes will not jeopardize the quality of ambulance service in Cole County.

The administrators plan on meeting with Cole County and Jefferson City representatives to discuss what creating an ambulance district would mean for the county. Cole County Commissioner, Mike "Pee Wee" Forck says an ambulance district would be funded by tax dollars, most likely in the form of a sales tax.

Capitol Region Administrators met with EMS staff Tuesday night says Tawny Sandifer, Vice-President of Patient Care Services. "It was an opportunity for them to hear from us and for us to hear what their input and opinions were," Sandifer says.

She says the administration will continue to keep employees informed of any new developments.

Capitol Region Administrators say they are in the very early stages of discussion and couldn't tell us how much money this would cost taxpayers. They expect to make a decision in about three months. If they decide on an ambulance district, commissioner Pee Wee Forck says the commission will work to put it on the earliest ballot for public vote.