Why Bellefonte’s 2019 tax increase is affected by EMS costs
"EMS is struggling and we need to make sure we have those services available," said Council President
The tax increase breaks down to a 1 mill increase for the general fund, one-fifth mill increase for EMS and a one-quarter mill increase for funding a grant match for the rehabilitation of
An average homeowner in
Bellefonte EMS provides services to 10 municipalities in the
Bellefonte EMS' budget is around
Locally and statewide, EMS is facing problems with increasing costs, dwindling funding, stagnant wages and a lack of qualified applicants, said Rhoat, who has been with Bellefonte EMS almost 12 years.
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"We projected in the future ... that the cost of expenses was going to pass that line of reimbursement and income," he said. "Because as far as EMS ... we can't just raise our prices when our expenses go up. Because it's dictated by the insurance companies, especially Medicare and Medicaid."
For a call that results in ambulance transport, Medicare reimburses
"The only way we've been able to maintain a balanced budget is by continuing to cut costs," he said. "(Now) there's nothing left to cut, and sometimes it's cutting to the point where it is detrimental to the organization."
The starting wage for an emergency medical technician with Bellefonte EMS is
Over the years,
And they're having trouble retaining employees, Rhoat said, because wages aren't competitive.
Revenue streams are drying up quickly, especially with
With the contributions from
Long-term, Rhoat said, he would like to bump starting wages up to
Rhoat said that as a taxpayer, he understands why people don't want their taxes to go up. But EMS is something that benefits everyone, even if they don't notice it day by day.
"Until somebody does not show up at your house, you don't care," said Rhoat. "But when your house is on fire, or a family member is having a heart attack, or your child ... (has) fallen down the steps and is unresponsive ... you don't really think about it because it's always there. Well, it may not always be there."
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