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EMS director reports higher-than-budget revenues, over-budget expenses after new ambulance purchase; staffing strain when both ambulances are busy
Summary
The county ambulance service reported financials showing year-to-date revenue was ahead of budget while expenses were also over budget due to a new ambulance purchase; staffing shortages left both ambulances busy simultaneously 35 times in the period and transfers and vehicle replacement remain budget items.
Iowa County27s EMS director reported December operational and financial figures showing the service fielded 166 calls in the month (132 transports, 34 refusals) and 941 responses year-to-date (724 transports). The director said the service27s year-to-date expenses exceeded budget by about $101,332, largely driven by the fall purchase of a new ambulance.
December actual revenue was $115,034 and year-to-date revenue was $660,907 compared to a year-to-date budget of $559,250; the director said revenue was outperforming budget even as expenses were above plan because of capital purchases. "So right now we are running $101,332 over budget, which is because we bought a new ambulance in the fall," the presenter said.
The director also reported operational strain: ambulances were simultaneously busy 35 times in the reported period; staffing shortages required requests for mutual-aid transport on two occasions. The director said the service has used loaner vehicles and had recent maintenance and accident repairs (the 24 motor ambulance returned after a deer strike) and planned replacement of wear items. The director discussed a multi-year plan to acquire monitors and an equipment replacement strategy that could be spread across budget years to ease yearly pressure.
On billing metrics the director said average charge per transport was $1,242.82 with average revenue per transport of $907.44; cost-per-transport billable-call was reported at $1,809.90. The director said the EMS service participates in state grant reimbursement programs that use a more detailed cost analysis for Medicaid reimbursement.
Supervisors heard the report but took no budget action at this meeting; the EMS director said he would continue to refine budgets and capital plans.
