Johnson County’s ambulance department asked the board Thursday to approve five full‑time positions to reduce recurring mandatory overtime and to staff an expanded contract for non‑emergency patient transfers with the University of Iowa.

"We have tipped over into having a little bit too many of the open hours," Fiona Johnson, ambulance department head (calling in remotely), said of the department’s reliance on part‑time staff and the resulting overtime burden. She proposed creating two FTEs out of currently open hours so those hours would be paid at regular rates rather than overtime.

Department leaders said the change would reduce burnout and long‑term overtime costs by stabilizing schedules. Assistant director Ben Simons and other staff told supervisors the two positions are not new recurring budget outlays in practice because the work is already being paid through overtime; converting those hours to full‑time staff would improve retention and predictability.

Separately, the department asked for three additional FTEs to support a verbally extended 24/7 transfer contract with the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for non‑emergency interfacility transfers. The university’s call volume for transfers has tripled in recent months, staff said, and the county would not add those positions until the county and the university finalize a written contract. The ambulance director said the three positions would be fully paid by the university under the contract.

Supervisors asked questions about scale and future needs. Department staff said they planned to begin hiring once the board approved the personnel request and the university finalizes its contract. Supervisors instructed staff to place the personnel request on the formal agenda for the next day; staff confirmed the matter will appear on the next meeting’s agenda for formal action.