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Commission hears ambulance budget shortfall projections; draft fee ordinance with 3% escalator proposed
Summary
Hampshire County's ambulance service (HCSA) reported payroll and revenue projections showing a possible shortfall through July; Commissioner Mance introduced a draft ordinance with a 3% annual escalator to the EMS fee, a levy contingency to suspend enforcement if a voter-approved levy covers the same baseline, and monthly reporting requirements to give early warning of budget stress.
HCSA staff presented a detailed budget analysis showing average payroll estimates of about $65,000 per pay period and projected obligations through July that could leave a shortfall in the range of tens of thousands of dollars depending on collections and one-time payouts. Staff recommended a cautious transfer from the no-fee account and said commission assistance might be needed in the short term.
Commissioner Logan Mance used the presentation to introduce a draft amendment to the county's ambulance-fee ordinance. The three principal features of the draft were: (1) a 3% annual escalator on the flat fee beginning in the next fiscal year to partially offset inflationary erosion; (2) a levy-contingency mechanism that would automatically suspend fee enforcement if a voter-approved EMS levy generated equal or greater baseline revenue, and (3) an affirmative monthly and quarterly reporting requirement obliging HCSA leadership to deliver expenditure breakdowns and trigger plans if trends indicate a deficit.
Commissioners and HCSA staff discussed the underlying drivers of the shortfall: high overtime and one-time employee payouts earlier in the fiscal year, increased costs for supplies and payroll due to inflation, reduced volunteer coverage, and the large gap between billed transport charges and actual reimbursements from payors. Several commissioners urged better monthly reconciliation with the tax office and more rigorous monitoring to avoid year-end surprises.
The ordinance was introduced for discussion and to solicit input from the HCSA advisory board and the public. No final vote on the ordinance took place at this meeting; commissioners said they would refine the draft and consider a public review period before any adoption.
