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Supervisors adopt EMS trust fund policy to standardize reimbursements, auditors and providers
Summary
The Benton County Board of Supervisors approved a county EMS trust fund policy to establish procedures for reimbursements, auditor review and provider requests. Staff said the policy anticipates future state guidance and aims to reduce confusion about eligible purchases and reimbursements.
The Benton County Board of Supervisors voted to adopt an EMS trust fund policy intended to standardize how EMS providers request reimbursements and how the county audits and documents trust-fund expenditures. The board approved adopting the policy by motion and discussed attaching a resolution to memorialize the adoption.
Why it matters: County EMS trust funds often contain fees or local revenues earmarked for emergency medical services. The policy clarifies how reimbursements are requested, how the county auditor processes those requests, and what documentation EMS providers must submit.
County staff who drafted the policy described it as a practical procedure to fill gaps not currently addressed by state statutes and to create consistent direction for the board, the county auditor and EMS providers. One staff member told the board, "I think it's good to have a policy in place given that this is something that we don't run into in government in our...small county," adding the policy will help avoid confusion about reimbursements and make the auditor's role clearer.
Supervisors discussed adopting the policy by resolution; staff noted a suggested resolution number (listed in the meeting as 2581) and said they would circulate a resolution form for signatures. The board motioned to adopt the EMS trust fund policy and the motion passed by voice vote.
Clarifications in the discussion included that the policy is intended to codify reimbursement procedures for EMS providers and that the auditor would receive documentation to process payments. Several supervisors said they appreciated attached exhibits in the packet that showed examples of allowable expenditures.
Ending: The board approved the policy and directed staff to attach a formal resolution and to circulate the signed document to relevant offices. Staff said they will continue to update the policy if state statutes change and will notify EMS providers of the required documentation and procedures.
