Agenda - 06-12-1989 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

quality of service they now offer and to avoid negatively impacting that, and (3) to stop subsidizing the insurance companies at the expense of the Orange County taxpayer. This issue will be successfully resolved if those three goals are reached. Commissioner Halkiotis stated that he is undecided on the fee for service issue. He mentioned that the philosophic reasons behind volunteering makes what those people do very special. He wants to be certain not to do anything to damage that volunteering spirit. He indicated that this issue needs to be thoroughly studied. He endorsed the concept of waiting and setting up a task force to look at this issue. He suggested that the rescue squad workers get insurance information and process the forms themselves. Chairman Carey pointed out that the user fee issue needs to be resolved so that implementation would be applicable to the 1989-90 budget. One alternative is to charge a fee as the Manager has proposed, or to charge a fee for part of the service. Another solution would be to charge no fee but to put it on the tax bill and designate it as such. He also indicated that he found it difficult to continue to subsidize insurance companies. Commissioner Marshall stated that she felt very strongly in support of the volunteers. The reason that this issue must be addressed now is because of the Federal Government and their mandate to the counties about the way they are trying to bring • services to the poor who do not have insurance. As the County picks up the medicare B under catastrophic health insurance, and pay medicaid for more women and children, the money the county must contribute is increased greatly. Commissioner Wilihoit indicated that one problem is that the fee does not cover the entire cost. He suggested compiling figures to show what money would be needed if the fee for service was not implemented and present that at the Public Hearing. He stated that the hazardous materials team have in the past responded to incidents on 1-85 involving the transport of hazardous materials. He indicated this type of service does not need to be subsidized by the county. He asked for a breakdown of the number of EMS calls on 1-85 as compared to local roads. Link indicated that he would support the idea of pursuing a separate tax for EMS. The state statutes provide for there to be a separate EMS district tax Countywide. It could be specified on the tax bill that 2.6 cents be earmarked for EMS services. Next year the Commissioners can pursue the alternative of establishing a separate countywide EMS tax or pursue other alternatives. Chairman Carey clarified that the proposed user fee is an attempt to recoup part of the County's direct and indirect costs. The County is not attempting to collect on the value of the services of the volunteers. An unidentified volunteer asked for clarification of how raising money through a tax would work and if it would be earmarked for EMS. Chairman Carey indicated that it would go to offset those direct and indirect costs that he just mentioned. Mr. Herb Barlow of the South Orange Rescue Squad stated he believes the insurance companies would raise their rates if claims were filed for rescue service. He mentioned that although the majority of reasons that the rescue squad opposed this idea were philosophical, he believed there were an equal number of fiscal reasons.