County staff presented multiple EMS actions on July 11 and the fiscal court approved hires and promotions, a billings contract contingent on county counsel review, and a plan to outfit a damaged ambulance as a backup.

Personnel: The court approved hiring three part-time educators and promoting three EMTs to paramedic status: Matt Lacey, Cameron Durham and Hunter Hill. Two part-time staff — Chloe Burt and Gavin Betsworth — were moved to full-time EMT positions (start dates July 14 and July 19). Pay rates for the positions were announced in the meeting packet and discussed by staff.

Billing contract: The court reviewed a single responsive bid from Specklin (billing company). Staff said the proposed fee (6.75%) matched the county’s prior contract. The court approved awarding the billing contract contingent on CAM (county counsel/staff) approving the legal contract language.

Backup ambulance: The county discussed a damaged ambulance that had been expected to be totaled. Estimates showed it was repairable, and the county weighed two options: buy only a power loader (about $30,000) and transfer equipment from the wrecked vehicle, or fully outfit the vehicle now to be road-ready (about $70,000 higher cost to increase ALS contract charges). The court voted to proceed with the more comprehensive option so the truck would be road-ready as a reserve; a motion passed and staff noted payment scheduling tied to the ALS equipment contract updates next March. Staff said two additional ambulances ordered for next year will allow retirement of older units when they arrive, reducing long-term incremental cost.

Court members also praised the county’s paramedic training and certification program, which staff said has improved staffing and service quality. Actions approved were implemented by motion and included contingency language for legal review of the billing contract.