Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee probes EMS overtime, 24-hour shifts and EMT-class billing after hosting arrangement
Summary
Officials discussed EMS overtime levels tied to 24-hour shift schedules and explained that a locally hosted EMT class required the county to pay class costs upfront and then receive reimbursements from other counties or participants.
Budget and Finance Committee members examined emergency medical services staffing, overtime spending and training reimbursements during the July meeting.
Finance staff and commissioners described EMS scheduling as 24-hour shifts with a typical rotation of 24 on/48 off. The committee chair said the service is averaging about five calls per day and noted that overtime includes holiday pay and coverage for unfilled shifts. The chair reiterated that overtime line items also reflect part-time staffing changes and other operational factors.
A staff member explained a specific line-item overage in staff development tied to an EMT course that the county hosted. The staff member said the county agreed to pay for the entire EMT class up front to provide a training location, and that the county is subsequently reimbursed by other participants or jurisdictions; the reimbursement is recorded as revenue rather than an offset to the training expense. The staff member identified two county employees as attendees whose participation contributed to the line-item increase.
Committee members asked that staff keep the training billing separated in the accounting so the expense and the reimbursement are traceable. No additional staffing-level changes or budget amendments were approved at the meeting.
