Committee approves county chief paramedic grade change; officials say move keeps role budget-neutral

The Chautauqua County Administrative Services Committee on April 14 approved a resolution setting the salary grade for a new chief paramedic position in the Department of Emergency Services.

Noel Gutman, director of emergency services, and Bonnie Peters, principal account clerk for emergency services, told the committee the change is not an additional headcount but a reclassification of an existing senior supervisory role. Peters said the position had been budgeted last year at grade 17; the department and human resources proposed grade 20 step 5 for the chief paramedic based on the responsibilities the role will carry.

Peters said the 20 step 5 hourly rate for this year is $33.07, and that the previous budget assumption (grade 17) would yield the same immediate payroll cost under the current pay schedule because of how steps and contract minimums apply this year. The department expects the new chief to assume most on-call duties — covering three out of four weeks on call while the director covers the remaining week — which will reduce on-call pay expense. Gutman said the change clarifies span of control, noting the department had operated at an approximate supervisor-to-staff ratio of 1:20 and sought a more sustainable supervisory structure.

Committee members asked for clarity on pay steps and the cost implications. Peters said the change would increase the position’s pay only modestly over time under the collective-bargaining schedule and that the position was funded in the current year’s budget. The resolution passed by voice vote; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally or name a mover or seconder.

Committee members voiced support for improving supervisory structure and confirmed the position will not increase the department’s headcount but will reclassify an existing position and adjust duties and on-call scheduling to reduce reliance on separate on-call pay.