📰 Today’s Local News from WSPC 107.3 FM & 1010 AM
Also heard on Magic 103.3 FM
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
🕙 Your mid-morning briefing from Dave Andrews in the WSPC newsroom
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🚑 EMS Fee Adjustment Approved
Stanly County Commissioners have approved an increase to the Advanced Life Support (ALS-1) ambulance service fee.
- The rate will rise from $815 to $854, aligning with contracted insurance reimbursement rates.
- EMS Director Dale Chandler explained the change was needed after billing staff discovered the county was charging less than insurers would pay.
“Our ALS-1 rate… is actually below some of our contracted insurance rates, so we’re billing less than we can collect,” said Chandler.
“This keeps us in line with other fees and ensures we’re not leaving money on the table.”
Chandler noted ALS services are used for serious medical emergencies such as heart attacks requiring cardiac monitoring, IVs, and medications, while BLS (Basic Life Support) is for less severe calls.
💰 Record-High Tax Collection Rate
Stanly County Tax Collector Clinton Swaringen reported a 98.23% property tax collection rate for the past fiscal year — a fifth consecutive record high.
- The total represents both real and personal property taxes, excluding registered motor vehicles.
- Swaringen credited the use of garnishments, bank attachments, debt set offs, and foreclosures to maintain the high rate.
The county also made significant progress on old tax debts:
- $50,377.36 remains from the 2014 tax year — down from more than $100,000 in previous years.
- Of that, $31,000 is real property, $18,000 personal property, and $280 registered motor vehicles.
“In a 10-year time frame, very little taxes escape from our office. We try to get everything we can,” Swaringen said.
By comparison, write-offs for prior years were higher — $63,000 for 2013, $76,000 for 2012, and $78,000 for 2011.
📜 Two New Plat Review Officers Appointed
The Stanly County Commissioners have added Hunter Rogers and Michael Williams as official Plat Review Officers.
- Both recently joined the Planning and Zoning Department and completed state training workshops.
- Plat Review Officers check plats and maps for completeness before they are filed with the Register of Deeds.
Planning and Zoning’s Bailey Cline said the additions will help ensure better customer service when other officers are unavailable.
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