Committee presses advisers on EMS funding and county subsidy after potential sale

Commissioners asked how a sale and changes in hospital structure might affect EMS operations and county budget obligations. The presenter (Speaker 3) explained that EMS figures presented were drawn from the county budgeting process: net patient service revenue, operating expense and an FY2026 forecasted loss 'just under $14,000,000' were cited, with the county contributing approximately $8.9 million currently and $12,000,000 budgeted toward FY2027 in the slides shown to the committee.

The presenter also offered a 10‑year present‑value estimate for the subsidy if the county wished to set aside funds (presenter characterized that estimate as roughly $100,000,000 using the assumptions discussed). Commissioners asked whether Ascension or HCA had committed to maintain trauma and EMS levels; the hospital representative (Speaker 5) described a verbal commitment from Ascension to maintain current levels but said continued service depends on county support for the program’s costs. The presenter and hospital representative agreed to provide more granular data comparing current self‑insurance costs and projected changes under each bidder.