EMS Compassionate Billing Program
At a glance
- What: The city's EMS billing program, begun July 1, 2026, with no out-of-pocket costs for residents; revenue is a restricted fund for EMS and the volunteer rescue squads.
- Where it stands: On track for its budgeted revenue; the city auditor's audit is nearly complete with no major findings reported.
- Next: Auditor's recommendations to be reviewed with EMS next month; accreditation and staffing initiatives over the next two years.
What the money has done
- 30 percent of revenue (about 4.2 million dollars in FY26, similar budgeted for FY27) goes to the rescue squads for capital and operating costs.
- Seven more ambulances (fleet of 49 planned), 43 more uniformed staff, a full-time medical director, pharmacist and pharmacy technician, a central supply program and a system-wide pharmacy program.
- Advanced life support training for 39 providers, 23 of them at full paramedic school.
- Reported by Jason Straub; billed patients were 86 percent city residents in FY26.
Sources
- 2026-10-20 - City Council (auto-captioned recording of the October 20, 2026 City Council meeting)
Discussion time
About 11 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).
| Meeting | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-20 - City Council | 11 |
Log
- 2026-10-20 - City Council — EMS chief briefed council on program results, the audit and strategic initiatives; council members thanked the department.