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City projects ambulance deficit of $253,000 this year and $368,000 for next fiscal year if unaddressed
Summary
Staff reported a $253,000 projected deficit tied to municipal ambulance operations for the current fiscal year and forecast a possible $368,000 shortfall at the start of the next fiscal year; staff cited revenue shortfalls, personnel costs, an adjusted federal grant of about $75,000 and ongoing negotiations with the regional hospital.
City staff briefed the council on the municipal ambulance operation and its effect on the general fund. Staff reported a projected current-year deficit of approximately $253,000—attributed mainly to revenue shortfalls and personnel costs connected to running the service since the city assumed operations in July 2022—and estimated that if unaddressed the next fiscal year could begin with about a $368,000 shortfall.
Staff said the city qualified this year for a federal reimbursement grant (referred to in the meeting as a Ground Emergency Management/Transportation grant). The presentation initially referenced a revenue estimate near $72,000 but staff later adjusted the federal share estimate to about $75,000; earlier internal forecasts had anticipated $120,000–$130,000 from the grant when the ambulance was taken over.
On options, staff discussed seeking additional user contributions, operational efficiencies across city departments, and contract/transport negotiations with Pella Regional Hospital; the city also noted two counties are involved in the ambulance service territory and that Marion County has declared ambulance service an essential service and is taking steps that could include a referendum or tax to subsidize services regionally.
Council did not take new budget action at this meeting; staff said they are actively working on staffing, revenue measures and will include the ambulance in the next budget cycle discussions.
