Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Safety Emergency Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
9‑1‑1 reclassification, EMS billing initiatives and Clearwater radio consolidation shape SES budget
Summary
Safety & Emergency Services presented a FY26 budget reallocation that moves 9‑1‑1 staff costs from general fund to the E‑9‑1‑1 fee fund, described EMS revenue initiatives and noted Clearwater Police Department's planned move to the county radio system.
Safety & Emergency Services (SES) briefed the board on a FY26 budget that reflects accounting reclassifications for 9‑1‑1 staffing, new ambulance-billing initiatives to improve revenue collection and the financial implications of the City of Clearwater joining the county radio system.
Tony Merrill, county budget staff, said the SES general fund appears to decrease materially in FY26 because 62 9‑1‑1 employees will be funded through the E‑9‑1‑1 emergency communications fund rather than directly from the general fund. County staff described the change as an accounting reallocation permitted by statute and fee rules, not a net reduction in services; the emergency communications fund will absorb personnel and associated operating costs while the general fund will reflect a transfer out.
SES staff also described an EMS revenue pilot to improve net ambulance collections by better timing claims for insurance and deductible management; early pilot results projected increased net revenue of about $1.1 million from reduced patient-payings and higher insurer collections. Commissioners asked about the timing and the program’s 60‑day hold policy; SES staff said claims would be held a limited time (60 days) while larger payers process claims, after which the claim would be released to patient billing if necessary.
The county’s intergovernmental radio communications fund rises modestly in FY26 as Clearwater Police Department transitions onto the county’s Motorola system; staff said the operational outcome will be improved interoperability and estimated cost savings for Clearwater of roughly $300,000 annually by avoiding a standalone radio system.
SES also requested decision packages: a nonrecurring $1.5 million traffic‑preemption project (Phase 2) and a recurring EMS instructor position intended to replace overtime training costs. The county administrator had preliminarily recommended the EMS instructor request.
No votes were taken. Staff said decision packages and fee changes will proceed through regular hearings and will be included in the recommended FY26 budget.
