Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ems Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board adopts EMS appropriation resolution and discusses $400,000 Ambulance RFP, proposes fair funding model
Summary
The Board adopted Resolution #12162024-02 to change how EMS tax funds are distributed, discussed a Tower Direct ambulance proposal costing $400,000 for year one, and reviewed a proposed fair-funding model to reimburse EMS providers based on calls responded to within township boundaries.
The Douglass Township Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted Resolution #12162024-02 on Dec. 16, which establishes new procedures for distributing EMS appropriation tax revenue and allows the Board to recognize any emergency medical service provider that meets minimum standards to serve township residents. Solicitor Wendy McKenna presented the resolution and said it "provides new procedures for distribution of the Douglass Township EMS Taxes that are collected." The motion to adopt the resolution carried without opposition.
Manager Andrew Duncan told the Board two responses were received to the township Ambulance RFP. Boyertown Ambulance submitted a letter declining to accept the RFP terms because "their business model currently could not support the requested items in the RFP," while Tower Direct submitted a full proposal. Mr. Duncan said Tower Direct's proposed cost to Douglass Township would be "$400,000.00 for the first year with a 5% increase each year thereafter to the third year of the contract" and that the company would require a facility to house the ambulance. The Board and staff acknowledged regional consequences if the township contracts externally, including possible impacts on neighboring volunteer services.
The Board and the Emergency Services Board also discussed adopting a fair funding model to allocate EMS tax receipts by reimbursing providers for the number of calls they responded to within Douglass Township during a calendar year. Mr. Duncan said the model "would fairly and equally disburse EMS tax monies to the ambulances that are providing service," while Chairman Josh Stouch said "it sounds like at this time, the fair funding model is the way to go." Members of Gilbertsville Area Community Ambulance Service (GACAS) raised concerns during public comment that certain non-billable responses (lift assists or backup calls) might not be compensated under the model and pressed for clarity on required financial reporting. The Board responded that recognized providers will need to supply required financial reports and encouraged providers to bill for calls where appropriate.
What happens next: the fair funding model relies on call-response data for reimbursement calculations; the Board indicated it would use county reports and consider semiannual disbursements once response counts and financial reporting are available.
