Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Ems topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Pulaski County ambulance director urges PTO rollover changes after staffing surge and unpaid lost hours
Summary
During the commissioners meeting, the county’s ambulance director described staffing shortages experienced earlier in the year and asked the board to consider letting employees roll more paid time off (PTO) into the next year or authorize pay‑outs to avoid unpaid lost time. The discussion also covered ambulance billing and delinquent receivables.
Natasha, the county ambulance director, told commissioners Sept. 15 that when she took over in October the department was short‑staffed and several employees were unable to use accrued PTO; one provider lost 25 hours and Natasha said she personally lost eight hours that were unpaid and did not roll under current county policy.
Natasha asked the board to consider allowing more PTO to roll into the next year or permitting pay‑outs when staff cannot use hours, because her department’s scheduling practices (24‑hour shifts) make using banked hours difficult. She said the department is now fully staffed; the most recent schedule shows only a day and a half needing coverage compared with about 30 openings earlier in the year.
On billing, Natasha said the service’s newly billed amount as of Aug. 30, 2025, was $88,539.01. She reported receivables over 180 days due the county of $144,211 and said accounts older than 180 days are sent to collections; recovery from collections is typically small. She also said Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements cause some amounts to appear in the newly billed and 90‑day columns while claims are processed.
Why it matters: PTO policy affects employee retention and continuity of emergency medical services; unpaid or forfeited PTO has prompted staff disputes and a provider departure in the past year. Large aging receivables affect county revenues tied to ambulance services.
Next steps: Commissioners asked staff to research how other counties handle PTO caps and rollovers. Nathan (county staff) and the auditor asked that departments notify commissioners in advance if grant or hiring decisions will require additional county funding. Natasha said she would work with the billing company and provide follow‑up information to commissioners.
