Finance Committee addresses EMS ambulance service amid national Zoom outage

The Wilmington City Council's finance committee meeting on April 16, 2025, kicked off with a critical discussion on the city's EMS ambulance service, highlighting urgent legislative needs before diving into the FY2026 budget hearings.

Chairwoman Simmons opened the meeting by acknowledging the national outage of Zoom, which affected public participation. She then introduced ordinance number 25-011, aimed at amending the fiscal year 2025 operating budget to address pressing issues related to EMS services. This amendment is crucial as it seeks to enhance the operational capabilities of the city's ambulance service, a topic that has garnered significant attention from both council members and the public.

Director Stephanie Mergler provided a brief overview of the legislation, emphasizing the importance of the amendment. She noted that Rob Winkler from the budget office would present detailed budgetary implications, while Chief Looney would outline the operational needs of the EMS service. This structured approach aims to ensure that all aspects of the amendment are thoroughly discussed and understood.

As the meeting progressed, council members engaged in discussions about the implications of the proposed changes, reflecting a commitment to improving emergency services in Wilmington. The focus on EMS underscores the city's dedication to public safety and efficient service delivery.

The meeting concluded with a clear path forward, as council members prepared to deliberate on the budget and its impact on the community. The outcomes of these discussions are expected to shape the city's emergency response capabilities in the coming fiscal year.