A partnership between Tyrrell and Washington counties is taking the next step, after the commissioners approved an initial budget at their meeting Monday, August 5.

Washington County began providing ambulance service to its eastern neighbor nearly a year ago, and now the partnership will extend to non-emergency medical transport.

Tyrrell County has already purchased an ambulance for the service and has agreed to provide two months of operating funds to get the effort off of the ground. They will pay for all expenses, according to the agreement, and share 50 percent of profits, up to $75,000, with Washington County.

EMS Diretor David Clary said he sees this as another revenue stream for Washington County, and noted that since the transition to providing emergency services went smoothly,he does not see a problem adding non-emergency transport.