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County EMS requests several vendors be designated 'urgent' for weekly payments to avoid service interruptions
Summary
EMS leadership asked commissioners to classify several recurring vendors as "urgent" so invoices (for medical supplies, oxygen, fuel and American Red Cross blood deliveries) can be paid weekly rather than monthly, citing impacts to patient care and vendor operations; commissioners asked for clarification of effects on the claims approval process.
An EMS representative asked the commissioners to designate several recurring vendors as "urgent" so that invoices for those vendors can be processed and paid on a weekly basis rather than being held until the monthly claims batch.
The speaker listed vendors that provide medical supplies and critical operational goods: Penn Care and Bound Tree (medical supply vendors), Oxygen (oxygen deliveries), Fuel (weekly fuel deliveries) and the American Red Cross (blood deliveries every 21 days). The presenter said the county receives invoices weekly or multiple times per week from these vendors and that processing them monthly creates cash‑flow and operational complications for the vendors. The speaker said timely payments affect patient care and the ability of EMS crews to operate without interruption.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about how the change would affect the claims approval process and whether the auditor could accommodate weekly check runs or a specified urgent‑vendor payment process. Staff said weekly payments for recurring and time‑sensitive vendors could be accommodated administratively but that the board’s approval would formalize the change so auditors and the clerk’s office could adjust processes.
The speaker made a motion to designate the listed vendors as "urgent" so their invoices would be approved and paid on a weekly basis; a motion was seconded and staff said they would follow up with the auditor’s office to confirm the mechanics. Commissioners did not indicate any opposition in the meeting record and asked EMS leadership to submit a follow‑up list and process for regularization.
