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Commissioners hear EMS faces overtime, staffing shortages despite near-self-sustaining budget
Summary
County officials were told EMS generates much of its revenue from fees and has a large receivable balance; staffing shortages and built-in overtime on 24-hour shifts drive high overtime and burnout.
Bourbon County commissioners were told Monday that emergency medical services (EMS) covers much of its operating costs through fees but is struggling with overtime, recruitment and long shifts that increase burnout.
Finance staff explained that EMS receives fees for service and levies a small tax but carries current receivables of roughly $302,000 where patients have not paid outstanding bills. The presenter said, "most of their money that comes in is the fees that they're charging for the service. This 302,000 is about what we have in outstanding receivables where people haven't paid their bills."
Staff, EMS leaders and commissioners discussed staffing and hours. The presenter said EMS workers are scheduled on 24-hour shifts that create significant overtime: "they're working 24 hour shifts ... sometimes that some EMS people work 70 to 96 hours of overtime in their 2 week period," the presenter said, and added, "we're gonna have burnout."
The commission discussed whether a local hospital could operate EMS under contract. Commissioners and staff said Freeman Hospital might absorb the service in the future, but staff cautioned Freeman would likely operate the service at a loss for a period and may be reluctant to take it on immediately. The presenter said by law the county must continue funding emergency services and that previously the county provided a payment to Mercy under a similar arrangement.
Why it matters: staffing and overtime pressure have operational and budget consequences. The commission was told EMS's tax levy is smaller than its budget, and the difference is made up with fee revenue and county support; commissioners can designate levied EMS funds into reserves to pay for vehicles or equipment if revenues allow.
Ending: Staff said the county will continue funding EMS and consider any contract arrangements if private operators (hospitals) make viable proposals; no formal action or vote was recorded in the transcript.
