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County approves MOU to transition Clear Spring ambulance staff to county employment; $400,000 fiscal impact noted
Summary
Commissioners approved an EMS staffing transition MOU to convert Clear Spring Ambulance Club EMS employees to county payroll, adding four full‑time staff (total eight per affected station) with an estimated $400,000 fiscal impact after recoveries, budgeted in FY26.
Washington County commissioners unanimously approved an MOU to transition EMS employees from the Clear Spring Ambulance Club into county employment and to align billing, wages and benefits with other county EMS operations.
David Hayes, director of emergency services, said the transition follows months of discussion and aims to create a more sustainable staffing model for Clear Spring and nearby communities. Under the plan, all current full‑ and part‑time EMS field employees would transition to county employment, and the county would hire four additional full‑time employees to fill vacancies — bringing the affected stations to a total of eight full‑time EMS staff.
Hayes explained that wages and benefits in the MOU mirror requirements used in prior transitions to Halfway, Hancock, Smithsburg and Williamsport fire/EMS operations. He added that the MOU requires moving billing services to a county‑selected vendor.
The county estimated the fiscal impact at $400,000 after recoverable revenues; Hayes said that amount is budgeted in the FY26 operating budget. Hayes stated there are concurrences from department leadership, the county administrator, the CFO and the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association president, James Brecker.
Commissioners approved the MOU by voice vote, 5‑0. Staff offered to provide executed copies to the county attorney after the meeting.
The county will now proceed to execute the MOU and implement the employee transitions and billing changes. Staff said next steps include finalizing employment paperwork and coordinating the billing transfer with the selected vendor.
