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County projects higher EMS billing revenue; commissioners debate how to use restricted funds
Summary
County staff told the board EMS billing revenue for FY26 is now projected at $7.5 million (up from $5.0 million) with potential additional ESPP funding, but emphasized that these revenues are legally restricted and must be matched to EMS expenditures; commissioners queried whether the revenue should offset general‑fund contributions or be used for transition costs.
County budget staff told commissioners that EMS billing revenue incorporated in the FY26 plan has increased from a prior $5,000,000 assumption to a projected $7,500,000 based on new data, and that an additional $800,000 of ESPP funding could bring the total to about $8.3 million. Speaker 2 emphasized that this revenue is held in a legally restricted fund and must be matched to EMS expenditures rather than treated as unconstrained general‑fund revenue.
On mechanics and use: commissioners questioned how EMS billing revenue is being attached to positions and whether it would be treated as revenue available to offset other general‑fund contributions. Speaker 2 responded it is not currently being approached as unconstrained new revenue and that, if the board wanted to reclassify it as additional revenue for new expenditures, staff would need direction on how to proceed. "If the board wants to look at this as additional revenue to approve additional expenditures, I need to know that," Speaker 2 said.
Implications: staff warned that while EMS billing improves the EMS fund picture, it cannot come close to covering total EMS expenditures (noted as in excess of $30 million in the presentation). Using restricted EMS billing revenue for new general‑fund obligations could worsen the county’s bottom line, staff said.
Next steps: staff will continue to present detailed budget books and agency hearings will include more discussion of EMS funding mechanics. Commissioners indicated the topic will recur during upcoming budget sessions.
