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Grant County approves amended EMS budget after debate over hours, volunteer stipends and training
Summary
Commissioners approved an EMS budget package with line-item changes: run reimbursement was increased to $70 per run, medical-supply and training amounts were adjusted and staffing-hour assumptions were raised to better reflect historic overtime.
Grant County commissioners voted to approve the county EMS 2026 budget after an extended discussion about realistic staffing-hour assumptions, volunteer stipends and training needs.
The EMS director told commissioners the department had modeled salaries on 72-, 75- and 80-hour pay periods and that supervisors routinely exceed the longstanding 70-hour assumption because of shift overlaps and transport calls. Commissioners adopted an amended package the board said would more closely match actual staffing and overtime trends.
Key changes adopted - Staffing-hour assumptions: Commissioners asked staff to budget on a more realistic hour model (72–75 hours per pay period) for supervisors; the board directed EMS to provide updated operational data. - Run reimbursement (volunteer stipend): The board increased the per-run stipend to $70 (from $60). The total appropriation for run reimbursements was set at $145,000 in the amended budget. - Supplies and training: Supply totals were adjusted to $150,000 (medical supplies $35,000). Training and education was reduced to $15,000 from the originally requested $20,000; commissioners noted they would revisit the figure if a training (EMT) class was scheduled. - Capital outlays: Approved as requested in the EMS packet.
Commissioners said they want a clearer, periodic accounting of transports and run counts, including canceled runs and nontransport calls, because those events affect revenue and the department’s ability to bill insurers. The EMS director said transports through July are up modestly compared with last year and that reimbursements and grants typically offset much of the operating cost.
What happens next The board directed EMS to provide updated staffing-hour data and a monthly transports-and-reimbursements summary for commissioners. Commissioners said they will review volunteer recruitment and the proposed revival of EMT classes if the county’s planned training facility becomes available.
