Highlands County board approves budget amendments, ambulance renewal, courthouse remodel and employee‑benefit changes

Highlands County commissioners on Oct. 7 approved a package of actions including budget amendments, a renewal of an air‑ambulance certificate, a courthouse remodel contract and changes to employee health plans.

Sheriff Paul Blackman requested and the board adopted Resolution 25‑26‑004 to realign FY25‑26 sheriff’s general‑fund accounts to set up grant and program budgets (including Avon Park law enforcement services, school‑resource deputies and the LISA and JAGC grants). Blackman told the board the amendment is essentially preparatory for grant administration and program setup.

In a separate budget action, Tanya Kennedy, business services director, presented Resolution 25‑26‑007 to transfer $555,009.92 to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration as the county’s match for the Public Emergency Medical Transportation (PEMT) program. Kennedy said the match is expected to draw down approximately $1,298,000 in program income, producing an estimated net positive fiscal impact of about $742,000 to the general fund. Commissioners asked about timing; staff said reimbursements typically take 30–60 days.

The board also unanimously approved renewal of a Class 4 Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (COPCN) for Florida Health Sciences Center Inc., doing business as AeroMed, after a recommendation from Deputy Chief Dustin Fitch that AeroMed remain an air‑ambulance partner for Highlands County.

Brandon Dunn, parks and facilities director, presented a Task Order Agreement for remodeling the old law library on the courthouse third floor into additional judicial staff space. The board approved contracting Marmar under the county’s existing CMAR agreements for the $329,995 project, funded in project 22053.

On employee benefits, Sean Fleming and Tanya Kennedy presented changes to the county’s self‑insured medical and dental plans for plan year 2026. The board approved reducing medical options from three to two (a base high‑deductible plan with an HSA and a buy‑up plan) and adding a $500 prescription deductible per member on the buy‑up plan. Staff estimated a net fiscal impact of $1,159,004.20 (a 7.7% increase across the pool) and explained HSA contributions (noted as $100 per month in committee discussion) to help offset individual deductibles.

All motions were approved unanimously.

Votes at a glance: - COPCN renewal for Florida Health Sciences Center Inc. (AeroMed), Class 4 air ambulance — Approved (unanimous). - Ordinance 25‑26‑01 (solid waste untarped loads) — Adopted (unanimous). - Resolution 25‑26‑004 (Sheriff budget realignment) — Adopted (unanimous). - Resolution 25‑26‑007 (PEMT transfer of $555,009.92) — Adopted (unanimous). - Courthouse remodel TOA (Marmar) — Approved (unanimous). - Highlands County self‑insured medical and dental plans (plan year 2026) — Approved (unanimous).

The board had no public opposition on these items at the hearing and directed staff to handle implementation and tracking where noted.