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County approves methodology to reset regional dispatch rates; officials say change will wait for new RFP
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Summary
The Board approved Ventura County Fire Protection District’s methodology for calculating full‑cost recovery dispatch rates for ambulance dispatch services, but officials said the change won’t affect existing contracts and will be tied to a future RFP and annual rate review.
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 21 approved a methodology proposed by the Ventura County Fire Protection District to compute full‑cost recovery dispatch rates for the county’s regional 9‑1‑1 dispatch center.
County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner told the board the methodology divides dispatch center operating costs — net of outside revenue sources such as CAL FIRE payments and out‑of‑county dispatch fees — by annual calls for service and then apportions the resulting dispatch charge 50% to fire agencies and 50% to transport agencies. Chief Gardner said the county’s regional dispatch center is a long‑running, consolidated model that improves response times by dispatching the closest resource regardless of jurisdiction.
Why it matters: The proposal is intended to set an equitable, transparent rate for a new contracting cycle. Chief Gardner and staff stressed the methodology will not alter any current contracts immediately; the new rate would be applied when the county issues a new RFP and new provider contracts start (or no earlier than July 1, 2026). The auditors and an outside consultant reviewed and approved the approach, officials said.
Supervisors asked how the methodology would impact ambulance transport charges to patients. Chief Gardner said ambulance transport companies’ business models, Medicare/Medi-Cal reimbursements and contract structures will shape how much cost is transferred to patients; some supervisors expressed concern about potential increases in patient bills. Chief Gardner also told the board the county would review rates annually and tie dispatch fees to the county’s regular rates‑and‑fees review process.
Board action: The board voted unanimously to approve staff recommendations to adopt the proposed methodology and direct the CEO to include the methodology in the forthcoming RFP so all bidders submit comparable proposals. Chief Gardner said the county’s review found Ventura County’s dispatch rate under the methodology would be equal to or less than many comparable systems in California.
Next steps: The county will place the methodology into the RFP materials; the new rates will take effect either with the start of the new contracts or by July 1, 2026, whichever is later. The board asked for annual reviews and noted that transport reimbursement changes at the federal and state level could affect transport fees and patient billing.
