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Commission hears discussion on KP&F retirement cost for EMS; no action taken
Summary
EMS Director Corey Scott briefed commissioners on the county's KP&F retirement affiliation for EMS personnel and the cost implications; commissioners were told the affiliation appears permanent under statute and no vote was taken.
Atchison County EMS Director Corey Scott briefed commissioners Sept. 9 on the county's participation in the Kansas Police and Firemen's Retirement System (KP&F) for emergency medical services personnel and the cost implications for the county budget.
Scott said the county's KP&F expense for the current budget process was about $416,004.55 and said the employer contribution rate for KP&F “is over 20% when KPERS is under 10.” He said that HR records and earlier minutes from Nov. 8, 2016, indicate the county affiliation transfer to KP&F was executed at that time and appears permanent. Commissioners and staff said that statutory provisions expanded the KP&F definition to include EMS workers, and that designation made EMS eligible for KP&F benefits.
Commissioners discussed the trade-offs between retirement benefits and wages, and whether it would have been preferable to allocate those premium funds into wages for recruitment or retention. Several commissioners noted that Kansas statute generally prevents counties from withdrawing from the system once they have joined.
No formal motion or vote was taken. Commissioners asked staff to continue reviewing options and clarifying historical records and comparators in other counties; staff said they would follow up with additional research and information.
