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FINANCE COMMITTEE

Meeting Date:	12/03/2018
Subject: Contra Costa EMS System Funding Report
Submitted For:	Anna Roth, Health Services Director
Department:	Health Services
Referral No.:	5-23-17 D.6
Referral Name:	County Service Area EM-1 Basic Assessment
Presenter:	Patricia Frost (925) 646-4690	Contact:	Patricia Frost, Director, EMS

Information

Referral History:

On July 23, 2018, the Finance Committee heard an update to the March 26, 2018 report to consider funding identified system needs of $550,000. The Committee briefly discussed the financial needs of the system and discussed the pursuit of a Special Tax for EMS. In March, the Committee directed an on-going referral to Finance to begin working on the two year process to put a Special Tax on the June 2020 ballot. Staff was directed to forward a report to the Board to recommend exploration of a ballot measure for a Special Tax to support EMS and other health related issues and to direct the County Administrator to develop a plan to bring back to the Committee by the end of 2018. Staff was directed to work with Ms. Frost to meet with the CCC Fire Chiefs Executive Board to discuss such a measure. The Committee directed that the meeting is to occur by the end of September to allow the item to return to Finance in October.

On March 26, 2018, the Finance Committee heard a report and request for funding from Patricia Frost. The Committee discussed the financial needs of the system, possible State legislation to address the need, pursuit of a Special Tax, and future grant opportunities. The Committee directed Ms. Frost to forward a report to the Board to recommend exploration of a ballot measure for a Special Tax to support EMS and other health related issues and to the direct the County Administrator to develop a plan to bring back to the Committee by the end of 2018. The Committee next moved to address some of the current financial gaps and initially recommended gap-funding. However, due to lack of clarity regarding the Health Information Exchange (HIE) grant, the Chair asked that the item be returned to Committee.

On May 23, 2017, the Board of Supervisors referred the matter of an increase in the basic assessment fee for County Service Area EM-1 to the Finance Committee after a hearing to consider a tentative report on the proposed assessment for the 2017/18 fiscal year.

On October 23, 2017, the attached report was submitted for consideration by the Committee. A presentation by Patricia Frost, Director of Emergency Medical Services, was provided to the Committee. The referral was to consider an increase to the basic assessment rate for County Service Area EM-1; however, the focus of the report was on system needs rather than funding. Ms. Frost was directed to return to Committee with a full report of need and recommendations on funding in February.

Referral Update:

The attached report and attachments are submitted for consideration.

Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):

CONSIDER report and request by the Director of Emergency Medical Services on EMS System Funding Recommendations.

Attachments
EMS Finance Update