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Fire chief warns Lake County commissioners ambulance may be understaffed despite plans to go full time
Summary
A fire chief in public comment urged the county to scrutinize ambulance district plans to go full-time amid staffing shortfalls, billing turnover and unclear budget submissions; commissioners asked staff to request more detailed budget breakdowns and consider a $100,000 increase proposal.
During extended public comment, the speaker who identified themselves as a fire chief urged county attention to the ambulance district's finances and staffing. The chief said the district collected roughly $262,501.43 in 2022, $351,007.65 in 2023 and $183,414.80 so far this year, and questioned how the district could move to full-time staffing on that revenue. "For just this year up to today, they've only received a $183,414.80," the chief said, arguing the sums do not support full-time coverage and pointing to repeated billing-company turnover and lack of timely responses from the district's accountant.
Commissioners and staff discussed options including asking the fire district to submit a segregated budget (fire vs. EMS) and the prospect of presenting a $100,000 increase to the county budget if justified. Several commissioners noted the policy challenges posed by pending statutory changes and the need for clearer mutual-aid and billing practices; no formal county vote or appropriation was recorded in the segment.
