On November 5, 2024, Community EMS District will be asking voters to support Issue 42, a 2-mil levy to add additional staffing to better serve those who call for an ambulance in their time of need.
What is the EMS District? The Community EMS District is a 3 representative Board (one delegate from the village and each township). This Board oversees and maintains the provision of emergency medical services to the EMS District. This includes 24/7 full-time around the clock staffing of paramedics, advanced EMTs, and EMTs. Outside of the occasional instance of multiple concurrent calls for service, Advanced Life Support is always available on every ambulance. The EMS Station is located on Forest Street in Garrettsville, and has three ambulances and one support vehicle in service along with an off-road UTV. The District employs five full-time employees, and numerous part-timers (roughly 25) of all certifications. The District only provides response for emergency calls (tax dollars are not being allocated for routine trips, interfacility transfers, or for-profit activities).
How will this affect the reappraisal that was just done? Issue 42 is based on the PREVIOUS appraised home value, NOT THE 2024 REAPPRAISAL. The Portage County Auditor’s Office has determined that this levy will cost an average of $70 per $100,00 of evaluation per year.
Why does Community EMS District need this levy? Currently, most employees of Community
EMS District are part-time with other jobs and commitments. This levy allows Community EMS District to hire additional full-time employees, while still maintaining the part-time staff. Essentially, this levy will provide stability to the workforce to improve EMS responses. The annual call volume has increased 59% over the past 13 years (794 in 2010 to 1,266 in 2023).
What about EMS billing? The EMS District uses a practice called “soft billing” for residents with insurance. Insurance is billed, and whatever is paid is accepted. The resident receives NO balance bill for any under-payment by insurance and the additional cost is written off. Uninsured patients receive a very meager flat rate fee.
In summary: The Community EMS District is asking for your support for a 2-mil levy to improve EMS within the District. This levy is an investment for the future of EMS services in the District, where time and time again the ballot has shown that our generous taxpayers recognize the need to support the local EMS system. The passage of this levy is vital to the daily impact of the department.
Please remember: Vote YES, Support EMS!
Professionally submitted,
Chief Christopher R. Sanchez
