Douglas County staff propose 28% increase to emergency ambulance fees; 2026 revenue projected at $3.5–4.0 million

County emergency medical services staff on June (presentation date) told the Douglas County Board of Commissioners they plan to raise certain ambulance rates and to standardize standby charges ahead of the 2026 budget process.

In a presentation to the board, John Darling, LDC FM medical director, said the department proposes a 28% increase to emergency transport fees (basic life support, advanced life support and ALS‑2), an increase in the per‑mile charge to the market average and establishment of a specialty care transport code. He told commissioners: “at a 67% collection rate, we’re projecting 3,500,000. And at a 76% collection rate, we’re projecting 4,000,000 in 2026.”

Why it matters: the revenue projection will be used in the county administrator’s proposed 2026 budget and affects how much the county counts on EMS fees to fund operations. County Administrator Sarah Plinske told the board she prefers conservative revenue estimates for budgeting and recalled that in prior years the revenue cycle lengthened, producing late collections that distorted year‑to‑year results.

What staff presented: Darling said the department is below regional…