Board approves MedAct expansion: 9 new EMT/paramedic positions and higher user fees

On Nov. 13 the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners approved a plan to expand the MedAct impact ambulance program by hiring nine EMTs and paramedics, increase user fees to two times the Medicare reimbursement rate, and authorize a one-time reallocation of $1,200,000 from general fund reserves in FY26 to support the change.

Paul Davis and Scott Sayer presented the request, framed as a targeted, fiscally responsible way to address rising call volumes (up 67% since 2010) and slipping response-time performance. Davis said the department’s performance target is to arrive on scene for critical (Code 1) calls within 10 minutes 90% of the time; current performance is in the high-80s (about 87%). Staff said the expansion is expected to move response performance closer to the target but that exact improvement depends on future call volumes.

Public commenters raised concerns about whether a fee increase and nine new positions are sufficient to reach the 90% goal, cited academic guidance on ALS utilization, and urged monitoring of response times and the financial impact on residents. Clay Smith, representing professional paramedics, spoke in favor of the expansion and workforce investments.

Commissioner Allen Brand moved to authorize the director of Emergency Services to increase MedAct user fees to two times Medicare reimbursement (per the attachment), hire nine EMTs/paramedics, and reallocate $1,200,000 of FY26 general fund reserves. The motion passed unanimously (7–0).

Several commissioners asked staff to return with a larger plan if metrics show the measure is insufficient to meet the board’s 90% standard, and staff agreed to monitor outcomes and report back as appropriate.

Next steps: staff will implement the hiring and fee changes, monitor response-time metrics and financial impacts (including any pressure on assistance funds for needy residents), and report back to the board for future budget cycles.