Only three people showed up on Feb. 10 to take advantage of a chance to talk informally to Mathews County supervisors about the 2015-2016 budget before the budget process actually begins—two from the Mathews Volunteer Fire Department and one from the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad.

Both organizations told the board, which met in the historic courthouse, that they will need additional funding in the coming year and the years ahead in order to continue providing the same level of service they’ve been providing.

Rescue squad treasurer Dave Burns said that training requirements have discouraged volunteers and increased the number of paid personnel on the squad. He touted low response times and state-of-the-art equipment as evidence that the squad is maintaining its services in spite of the problem.

But the squad has been dealt a blow by Medicare, said Burns. In the past, the fact that Mathews is a rural community has entitled the squad to a mileage supplement for transports ...