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Callahan County approves $47,295 payment to Citizens EMS for 2016 unbilled calls
Summary
The commissioners voted to pay Citizens EMS $47,295.27 to cover 363 unbilled calls from January–September 2016, to be paid from the county's Citizens EMS budget line while the provider works toward a more sustainable contract model.
Callahan County commissioners voted to approve a $47,295.27 payment to Citizens EMS to cover 363 unbilled calls from January through September 2016.
Kelly of Citizens EMS told the court the organization operates as a nonprofit ambulance service and that a change in 2016 to a call-based contract model left the service with uncovered charges for that period. "Those calls were not covered by the entities," the presenter said, explaining the group’s financial shortfall and its plan to seek a redesigned contract during the next budget cycle.
County auditor Sandra said the county maintains a Citizens EMS line-item and expects the payment to be made from existing budgeted funds. "You have a Citizens EMS line item budget," she said, adding the county would evaluate year-end call volume and consider any needed adjustments.
The presenter told the court the unbilled total came to $47,295.27 and that Citizens EMS had a deficit of roughly $120,000 last year and a $10,000 shortfall last month. She said the service currently operates with eight full-time and five part-time employees and carries a loan on its new facility.
The court discussed contractual language that allows Citizens EMS to request additional funding for arrears and the practical need to keep the ambulance service operating. Chair moved to approve the request; Commissioner McGowan seconded and the court approved the payment by voice vote.
The court and Citizens EMS said they will continue discussions about moving from a call-volume model to a readiness (preparedness) funding model during the county’s upcoming budgeting process.
