Commission approves $468,000 core funding plan to expand community paramedic program

Suwannee County commissioners approved a plan Dec. 16 to use core settlement funds to expand the county’s community paramedic/mobile integrated health program and create five positions to sustain operations beyond the initial three years of grant funding.

Chief Miller, who leads the division, said roughly $468,000 in core funds are available to support five positions that will continue the community paramedic program beyond its startup period. He described several funding streams the county will pursue — including opioid reimbursement grants, SAMHSA mental health grants, proposed state billing changes to allow community paramedics to bill insurers, and local telehealth contracts — to sustain the program long term.

Lieutenant Taylor and community paramedic staff described rising client numbers (more than 200 patients in the first 18 months, approaching 450 this year) and cited work addressing seniors, medication access, mental‑health crises and other non‑emergency needs. Commissioners discussed coordination with regional transit and neighboring counties and asked staff to work with finance to create the positions. The motion to approve the purchase‑order agreement with Lutheran Services Florida (DBA LSF Systems) to accept core settlement funds and create the positions passed 4–0, contingent on county attorney approval.

Next steps: staff to work with finance to create the five positions, pursue additional grants and billing strategies, and return any contract language for attorney review.