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County commissions CGR to study emergency medical services amid concerns over response capacity
Summary
Tompkins County authorized a $48,000 study by the Center for Governmental Research (CGR) to evaluate emergency medical services and potential county roles. The study was funded from contingency and is intended to produce a mid‑August report to inform budget and policy choices.
The Tompkins County Legislature unanimously approved a member‑filed resolution on June 3 to accept a proposal from the Center for Governmental Research (CGR) to evaluate emergency medical services in the county. Legislator Rich John said the study will provide an independent baseline assessment, examine trends and options and lay out funding and governance alternatives for EMS support.
John emphasized the county’s responsibility to respond to deteriorating EMS capacity in surrounding towns and noted a proposal to expand the county’s rapid medical response to include transport would be a significant fiscal commitment. "We may not want to do anything this budget cycle," he said, "but we committed to the towns that we would look at the issue and this independent review will help us think through our options." The resolution authorized up to $48,000 from contingency to pay for the consultant work and set a target for a mid‑August report.
Members discussed procurement: staff noted that at this dollar level the county’s procurement rules do not require a full RFP and that CGR has a record of similar municipal work. The vote was unanimous.
