Lebanon council approves $50,000 to Atrium foundation for replacement CareFlight helicopter

Council voted April 28 to award $50,000 from the city’s Community Improvement Department to the Atrium Medical Center Foundation toward purchase of a replacement CareFlight helicopter.

Mike Stalberg, president of the Atrium Medical Center Foundation, told council the helicopter the foundation seeks to replace carries a roughly $13.5 million price tag and that operating costs for one aircraft are about $7.2 million per year. Stalberg said the foundation raised about $750,000 at a recent gala and that fundraising to date is “over $8 million.” He asked the council for support that evening.

“...we are getting to the point where we're over $8 million of funding for the helicopter and we appreciate your consideration and I assume vote tonight to be supportive,” Stalberg said.

Council members then moved and seconded the resolution authorizing the $50,000 contribution. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with Vice Mayor Norris, Mayor Messer, Mrs. Harper, Mr. Lamura and Mrs. Edgars voting yes; Mr. Sers voted no.

The contribution is a one-time donation from the Community Improvement Department that the resolution says will support the foundation’s campaign to station a replacement helicopter at the Warren County Airport. Council members thanked the foundation for its fundraising and for the emergency-medical service the aircraft provides to the region.

Next steps: The resolution as adopted authorizes the $50,000 contribution; the Foundation will continue fundraising to complete the purchase and the city indicated staff will follow standard processing for the one-time payment.