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County approves new five-year EMS contract with Gold Cross amid first-year cost increase
Summary
Columbia County approved a renewable contract with Gold Cross EMS through June 30, 2027, totaling $2.35 million and adding a 12-hour ambulance. County officials said the contract raises the county subsidy by "just under $500,000" the first year but keeps patient billing caps unchanged; officials also discussed in-house options and start-up cost estimates.
Columbia County commissioners approved a new renewable contract with Gold Cross EMS that covered service through June 30, 2027, with a total contract figure of $2,350,000 and authorization for additional emergency resources.
Fire and emergency services staff told the commission the contract adds at least one 12-hour basic life support ambulance to meet growing demand and maintains the county-set maximum that limits what Gold Cross may bill patients. "It is just under $500,000 increase on the first year," said the county's fire/EMS representative. County staff and the county manager told commissioners they negotiated the billing cap so patient charges would not increase under the new contract.
The county manager said the administration reviewed whether to operate EMS in-house and previously estimated an initial start-up cost in the range of $14–$15 million. He said the county continues to evaluate that option but that, for now, contracting with Gold Cross and adding units is the fiscally preferred option. "We've been working back and forth with Gold Cross for some time," the county manager said, adding that the county benchmarks rates with neighboring jurisdictions and believes the contract represents close-to-market costs for the level of service provided.
Commissioners asked for and received operational details: staff said they are holding monthly coordination meetings with Gold Cross leadership, tracking response-time metrics and monitoring call volumes. The fire/EMS representative said the contract does not increase the billed amount for patients because the county set a maximum allowable billing rate in the contract.
The motion to approve the contract was moved, seconded and approved on consent along with several other consent items.
What's next: county staff will implement the contract, add the authorized ambulance, and continue monthly performance meetings with Gold Cross. The county manager said administration will continue to monitor whether bringing EMS in-house becomes viable in future fiscal years.
