Fitchner EMS District Commission Meeting - May 21, 2026

The Fitchner EMS District Commission met on May 21, 2026, at 5:00 PM to address routine approvals, hear an audit presentation, discuss staffing and financial strategies, and approve a new internship initiative. The meeting included the swearing-in of four new full-time paramedics, a detailed audit review, and unanimous consent on several administrative items.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the previous month’s meeting.
• GASB Statement Approval: A motion to approve the GASB 90 statement, establishing non‑spendable and assigned fund balance amounts, passed unanimously.
• Accounts Payable Checks: The commission approved five pages of accounts payable checks after a brief clarification regarding categorization of repair expenses.

Swearing-In of New Paramedics

• Four new full‑time paramedics were sworn in: Sam Keisera, Alyssa Kuhn, and Abigail Batesman (a fourth paramedic was also sworn in). Each was pinned by a family member or friend.

Audit Presentation

• Brett Hoffmeister and Claire from Johnson Block & Company presented the 2025 audited financial statements.
• The district received an unmodified (clean) opinion. Total assets were approximately $3.3 million, with an unassigned fund balance of $2.07 million (46% of the 2026 budget).
• A single internal control finding was noted for material audit adjustments (common in small entities due to cash‑to‑accrual conversion).
• Revenues outperformed budget (actual $5.6M vs. budget $4.8M) driven by improved run revenue and grants. Expenditures exceeded budget by about $200,000.
• Commissioners discussed the finding and confirmed the current practice of maintaining cash‑basis accounting during the year with annual accrual conversion is appropriate.

Chief’s Report

• Call Volume: April call volume was below 400 for the first time in nearly two years; year‑to‑date calls are down 6.4%. The chief noted this likely reflects a leveling off after a spike in 2025.
• Mutual Aid: Madison responded to assist six times, mostly concentrated on two days. The peak‑time truck has helped keep all four district ambulances in service during busy periods.
• Billing: Collection rate with EMSMC is nearly 10% higher than with the previous vendor. Aging receivables include $21,000 from patient payment plans, $73,000 billed to estates, and approximately $400,000 stuck in a review queue (EMSMC is working to resolve).
• Personnel: Ryan Dockery retired after 19 years; Sarah Imhoff celebrated 24 years; Andrew Jensen reached 13 years. Jeff (chief?) announced his planned retirement in November 2026.
• EMS Internship: The district received 12 applicants for the EMS‑only internship, interviewed 6, and selected 2 candidates to be onboarded.
• Community Events: Staff led a fall prevention class in Spanish, a “Stop the Bleed” class, and provided mutual aid during civil unrest in Blue Mounds (two ambulances and crew support).

Discussion: MOU for Permanent Part‑Time Positions

• The commission considered a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Local 311 to create two permanent part‑time positions (average 24 hours/week) to staff the peak‑time ambulance (two days a week).
• The chief explained that the LTE pool has struggled to fill these shifts; permanent part‑time roles with benefits would improve reliability. Full‑time staff could be mandated to fill gaps if part‑timers are unavailable.
• An amendment corrected the proposed health insurance split: the district will pay 76% (doubling the employee share from 12% to 24%), not 78% as originally stated.
• Funding for the remainder of 2026 would come from the unassigned fund balance ($499,000 above the 35% target). The 2027 budget impact is estimated at a 3% increase, largely offset by senior staff retirements.
• After discussion on structural deficit and future budgeting, the MOU was approved (unanimous) and will be sent to the union for ratification, with potential implementation as early as June 1.

Resolution: Paramedic Internship Funding

• The chief proposed using $35,000 of unassigned fund balance to sponsor a second paid EMS intern for 18 months (July 2026 through December 2027, with a possible final semester funded separately).
• The intern would work 96 hours/month and receive tuition support; staff have committed to serving as mentors.
• The resolution passed unanimously, supporting the district’s investment in the next generation of paramedics.

Other Business

• Commissioners recognized EMS Week and thanked the municipalities for proclamations.
• The next regular meeting is June 18, 2026; a special meeting (closed session) is scheduled for June 3, 2026, at 6:00 PM.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes, GASB statement, and accounts payable checks all approved unanimously.
• MOU for permanent part‑time positions approved with the 76% district health insurance contribution.
• $35,000 paramedic internship resolution approved.
• All votes were unanimous.