Chickasaw County EMS reports roughly $121,000 in second-quarter activity, presents $1.07M FY26 budget proposal

The Chickasaw County Board approved the county Emergency Medical Services quarterly financial report covering activity through Dec. 31, 2024, and heard a detailed outline of the EMS proposed fiscal year 2026 budget from EMS Director Joel Knutson.

What the Board approved: The Board approved the EMS quarterly report by motion (motion by Supervisor Scott; second by Supervisor Travis). The department reported roughly $121,000 of total activity for the quarter, broken out by revenue lines in the report (the department recorded approximately $58,009 from 9-1-1 calls and about $81,006 in facility transports within the quarter; the department recorded miscellaneous donations and small reimbursements). The Board also approved a journal entry moving an identified $900 in donations into the restricted EMS donation fund.

Proposed FY26 budget highlights: Knutson presented a proposed FY26 EMS budget of $1,068,699 (the department also discussed removing a $20,000 placeholder for equipment in some scenarios). Key elements: - Wages: the draft factors in 3% general wage increases and step adjustments for certified providers; two BLS providers have been upgraded to ALS status. - Benefits and FICA: higher totals tied to wage changes and a small change in health-insurance participation. - Medical supplies and billing: the budget separates IT/data-processing (budgeted at $5,000 for IT and $55,000 for PCC billing services) and reduces medical- and lab-supply lines from prior-year levels reflecting expected purchases and prior ARPA support. - Fuel and utilities: conservative increases to reflect recent bills and longer station occupancy. - Equipment replacement: the department has discussed a long-term replacement schedule for ambulances and major devices; staff and board discussed whether to keep a multi-year reserve in the restricted fund or move toward a larger capital request when a replacement is needed.

Medicaid add-on/GENT discussion: Knutson described a state Medicaid add-on reimbursement process (described in the meeting as payments that are submitted to the state as part of a three-way state-federal-local reimbursement mechanism). He explained the county will forward required payments to the state and be reimbursed through federal/state mechanisms; the exact mechanics are administered by Iowa HHS and will be reflected in the EMS revenue lines if payments are triggered.

Donations and restricted funds: The Board agreed to a journal entry to move $900 into the EMS restricted donation fund and authorized the department to spend from that restricted account per standard donation procedures.

What the Board did not yet decide: The Board received the FY26 draft budget and discussed options for equipment replacements, ambulance reserves and EMS staffing levels; no formal adoption of the FY26 EMS budget was recorded at the meeting.

Ending: Knutson said he would refine numbers and follow up with updated figures; the Board will consider the FY26 budget as the formal budget process advances.