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Public commenters back Waushara/Marquette EMS contract as county EMS warns of staffing and funding strains
Summary
Public commenters urged the committee to support a Waushara/Marquette EMS contract while the county’s EMS director reported a $59,000 recurring grant, a Medicaid supplemental reimbursement under Act 228, zero applicants for an open paramedic post and difficulty covering shifts.
Public commenters told the Marquette County Judicial & Public Safety Committee they support a Waushara/Marquette EMS contract, and the county’s EMS director said staffing and reimbursement changes are complicating operations.
Six residents — Lisa Fenner, David Maas, Jeff Sina, Tom Krueger, Shawn Reetz and Steve Shelson — addressed the committee on May 6 in support of the regional EMS agreement, saying the contract would help preserve emergency medical coverage in the area.
EMS Director Rob Lulling gave the committee a detailed operational update. He said the county received a FAP grant of $59,000; the funds are recurring and may be rolled over once. Lulling also described a cost-reporting exercise under Act 228, a Medicaid supplemental program, saying the county is eligible for a roughly 60% reimbursement for the 2023–2025 period and that payouts for 2023 and 2024 are expected this year. Lulling reported the department was awarded five new ventilators for ambulances through a separate state grant.
On staffing, Lulling told the committee there is one open paramedic position with zero applicants and that two employees will be out on family medical leave in early fall. He said the department has had difficulty covering shifts amid call-ins and other operational pressures, and raised the effects of Med 1 on coverage and scheduling.
Chair Judi Nigbor noted a prior report from Rep. Dallman that Rep. Kurtz introduced a bill to regionalize EMS services and pursue a levy exemption; Nigbor said the particular bill mentioned by Dallman is dead. The committee did not take formal action on the EMS contract at the meeting.
The committee is expected to continue oversight of EMS staffing and funding as grant cycles and Medicaid reimbursements proceed.
