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Council hears ambulance fund performance and high overtime in EMS; staff plans 4th ambulance, cardiac monitor lease
Summary
Fire and EMS leaders told the council the ambulance enterprise is generating revenue but that overtime—especially in the ambulance division tied to federal/state pay rules—is a significant cost; staff plans to add a 12‑hour ambulance and lease cardiac monitors.
Selma’s fire leadership told the City Council on May 28 that the ambulance enterprise remains a major revenue source but that overtime costs, particularly in the ambulance division, are large and expected because of staff schedules and federal overtime rules.
Chief Webster and finance staff presented the ambulance fund summary: proposed revenues of about $7.7 million and proposed expenditures roughly in line with that figure, leaving a modest projected surplus in the enterprise fund. The presentation included an itemized plan to purchase another ambulance (estimated at $280,000) and a six‑year lease for cardiac monitors for 9 units. The chief said the city is working to put a fourth ambulance into service on a 12‑hour schedule once the vehicle is procured; staff expect the additional unit to improve service and revenue recovery.
Council concern focused on overtime and staffing. Staff explained the ambulance/EMS roles are scheduled under different wage and hours rules: EMS personnel work schedules that make 16 hours of overtime per week part of their regular pay model (a 56‑hour work schedule), and those payments are budgeted for as overtime. Chief Webster said recruitment has been active, vacancies are being filled, and overtime last year was unusually high due to a cluster of injuries and other absences. The chief said the department would pursue incremental staffing additions only when sustainable.
Other operational notes from the presentation: the ambulance fund is projected to carry an estimated ending fund balance above $5.4 million after proposed purchases; staff budgeted the purchase of cardiac monitors via a multi‑year lease that includes maintenance; and the city is pursuing revenue recovery and contracting opportunities (dispatch and animal services contracts were discussed elsewhere in the meeting) that offset costs.
What’s next: staff will bring the ambulance purchase, lease agreements and scheduling plan back to council for separate approvals when procurement and financing options are firmed up.
