Kendall County boosts EMS training budget, keeps 48/96 schedule and opens review of medical director
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Summary
At a July 9 budget workshop, Kendall County officials agreed to increase EMS training funds, retain the 48/96 shift schedule, include funding for a deputy/second‑in‑command in next year’s budget, and begin a formal review of the county EMS medical director role after concerns from volunteer first‑responders.
Kendall County commissioners and staff moved during a July 9 budget workshop to increase funding for emergency medical services (EMS) training, keep the existing 48/96 shift schedule, include a second‑in‑command position in the proposed FY2026 budget, and initiate a review of the county’s medical‑direction arrangements.
The actions followed a detailed presentation by Brian Webb, Kendall County EMS administrator, who asked the court to raise EMS training from $10,000 to $30,000 to allow advanced training such as cadaver labs, active‑shooter medical response courses and updated continuing education. Webb said the additional training “not only benefits them, but also benefits our citizens because our guys are gonna be trained on new and more skills.” County budget staff confirmed the change was reflected in the current draft.
During a wide-ranging discussion, Webb outlined legislative and funding developments that could affect EMS operations: House Bill 3000 (funding that may provide up to $350,000 per county to support ambulance/staffing costs under rules yet to be clarified by the comptroller), House Bill 742 (new human‑trafficking training requirements for first responders) and House Bill 1105 (state tuition support for paramedic education). Corinna (county auditor/budget officer) said the court had not yet included any HB3000 revenue in the general fund because program details and disbursement timing were unclear.
On operational staffing, commissioners reviewed a previously proposed shift‑change plan that would have moved staff from the 48/96 schedule; after hearing employee feedback and staff recommendations, the court agreed to pause those changes and to keep the 48/96 schedule in the proposed budget. Commissioners said morale had improved after the pause. At the same meeting the court agreed to include funding for an EMS “second in command” (salary line cited at about $81,840) in the judge’s draft budget but asked that filling that position follow an interview/hiring process and come back to commissioners’ court for final approval. The court’s staff noted the position would not be filled until after budget adoption (not effective until Oct. 1 unless the court directs otherwise).
The meeting also featured an extended discussion about the county’s medical director, Dr. (first name) Sysco, who has provided medical direction for Kendall County EMS for more than two decades. Several volunteer fire departments and some EMS personnel raised concerns about the scope of delegated protocols and about whether the county’s medical‑direction arrangement provides enough depth of backup and broader participation in regional medical‑director discussions. Commissioners debated options including (a) inviting Dr. Sysco to explain his practices and participation in regional medical‑director meetings; (b) commissioning a qualifications‑based request for qualifications (RFQ) for medical‑director services; or (c) retaining the current arrangement with better formal documentation and expectations.
The court did not replace the medical director at the workshop. Instead commissioners instructed staff to schedule an executive‑session discussion (target: July 28) that would include Dr. Sysco and volunteer first responders who raised concerns; they also asked legal counsel to review the county’s current contract with the medical director and to advise on whether a public RFQ would be appropriate. Several commissioners emphasized a preference to speak directly with Dr. Sysco before beginning a formal procurement process; others supported issuing an RFQ so the county could compare qualifications and pricing.
Other EMS items discussed: Webb said the department expects about $1.65 million in ambulance collections next fiscal year based on current trends and proposed a move from itemized to flat billing to stabilize revenues. He also requested $21,212 (approx.) for portable pulse oximeters/CO2 detectors to replace aging units, and asked that quotes be provided to county budgeting staff for potential HB3000 grant use if the program’s rules allow. On data/software, commissioners discussed returning ImageTrend (the patient-care reporting system) to a county umbrella license to avoid per‑run charges and to simplify cross‑agency data sharing; staff said they would follow up with pricing and contract terms.
Commissioners directed that the second‑in‑command remain in the budget package and that hiring follow an interview committee and final court approval. The medical‑director issue was scheduled for further review; the court did not take a final procurement action at the workshop.
