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County EMS flags unexpected Constellation gas charges, seeks budget boost
Summary
Delaware County emergency medical services staff told council members they are seeing large, irregular gas charges from a contract with supplier Constellation and are likely to need a budget increase; staff recommended shifting more of the utilities budget toward gas while an outside firm reviews the contract.
Delaware County EMS staff told the county council during its budget review that an aggregation contract with Constellation has produced irregular and unexpectedly large natural‑gas charges this year, forcing staff to transfer funds from other utility and operating lines and to plan a request for an additional appropriation.
The county’s agreement with Constellation aggregates gas demand across multiple entities and establishes a capped rate to protect against price spikes. EMS staff said bills under that contract have arrived with highly variable amounts — for example, one charge of several hundred dollars followed by another of more than three hundred dollars — and that so far this year about 60% of the department’s gas budget has been consumed by Constellation payments.
Why it happened and whether the county is being double‑billed are not yet clear. Staff said they asked the auditor’s office for billing history and engaged a consultant at Cost Stewardship to review Constellation’s contract and invoices. Cost Stewardship is analyzing contract terms and shared data from the auditor; staff said the consultant will report back with findings and recommendations.
In the meantime, EMS requested that the council consider increasing the gas portion of its utilities line for 2026. Staff proposed moving up to a 60% increase into the gas line (either by adding funds to gas or by redistributing existing utilities dollars) so the department can pay current bills while the contract issue is clarified. They also said some electric bills have been paid from gas or other utility lines to cover shortfalls, and that staff will bring a formal additional appropriation request if the problem persists.
The EMS presentation said the department expects some reimbursements may follow if the consultant’s review shows the county was improperly billed, but staff could not guarantee timing or amount.
Council members asked for the consultant’s findings and for a clearer month‑by‑month billing history before deciding on a permanent budget change. Staff said they will return with the contract analysis and with a proposed reallocation between electric and gas lines if the current trend continues.
Ending: The county has engaged an outside reviewer and plans to present the consultant’s findings and a proposed budget adjustment next month; EMS staff emphasized they will continue short‑term transfers to cover utility bills until the situation is resolved.
