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Emergency services funding, radio upgrades and ambulance billing policy debated as county seeks to shore up enterprise funds
Summary
Emergency Services requested capital funding for radio and core system upgrades and raised staffing needs for overnight coverage; the county confirmed it will stop sending bills to residents beyond insurer payments (soft billing) after public concern about ambulance bills.
Emergency Services Director Jan Albert Butts briefed commissioners on multiple budget items, including requests to replace radio equipment, upgrade core dispatch systems, and add staffing to support requested overnight coverage at volunteer rescue squads.
Capital and fund balance: Butts showed a proposal totaling $1,989,000 for a radio and core system upgrade (hardware and software) and explained how paying for radios from fund balance would reduce planned nonrecurring lease outlay but increase immediate fund use. Finance staff said paying those items from fund balance would reduce the county’s undesignated reserve and staff will return with options for financing or fund‑balance allocation.
EMS staffing and volunteers: Commissioners and staff described a continuing operational shift in which career EMS staff run the majority of 911 calls. Emergency Services staff said career crews now handle about 85% of calls in recent months, with volunteers handling the remainder; commissioners discussed incentives and training models to rebuild volunteer capacity and reduce reliance on career overtime. The department reported 18 EMT vacancies with 12 conditional offers in process and said pay increases earlier in the year have improved paramedic recruitment.
Ambulance billing policy: Commissioners addressed community complaints about ambulance bills and directed billing staff to stop sending bills to residents beyond what insurers pay under the county’s soft‑billing policy. County staff said the billing vendor had been instructed to bill insurers only and not to pursue additional charges against residents; staff are also preparing talking points and website updates to communicate the change publicly. Commissioners asked staff to confirm refund procedures where citizens already paid bills; staff said they are processing requests and returning funds as appropriate.
Ending: Finance will return next week with a fund‑balance recommendation for enterprise capital requests (including the radio/core upgrade). Meanwhile, Emergency Services will continue to refine recruitment and training options to stabilize volunteer/paid staffing mixes.
