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Ocoee creates EMS division and enterprise fund, adopts rates to bolster emergency services
Summary
The commission unanimously approved an ordinance creating a separate Emergency Medical Services division and enterprise fund and adopted a resolution setting EMS transport rates; Fire Chief Smothers told commissioners the city projects just over $3.7 million in EMS revenue versus about $2.6 million in costs.
The Ocoee City Commission voted unanimously to establish a separate Emergency Medical Services division and an EMS enterprise fund, and to adopt a schedule of EMS response and transport rates.
Fire Chief Smothers said the change is intended to preserve and improve service levels, protect fire operations and increase funding transparency. "It looks like we should bring in or just over $3,700,000 in revenue," Smothers said, adding the city's estimated EMS costs are about $2,600,000, leaving roughly $1,000,000 of cushion under current projections.
Smothers told commissioners the reorganization would support staffing and service‑level improvements — including maintaining four engines, a tower and two ALS ambulances staffed with paramedics — and allow EMS revenues and expenditures to be aligned in a single enterprise fund. Commissioners asked about the paramedic labor pool; Smothers said staff is recruiting and will reach out to local schools with upcoming graduations.
The ordinance establishing the EMS division and enterprise fund and the companion resolution adopting EMS rates passed unanimously. Staff said the enterprise fund and division will be included in the FY 2026–27 budget process and that details about implementation, billing and participation in state and federal reimbursement programs will follow.
