COM 0181.000 2000-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r« Harry Klm ef~~%'- ~~'s Wllbam Takaba Mayor D~recror i*' O County of Hawaii _ ~ , Finance Department . ~ _ 25 Aupum Stral, Room 1 I8 . Hilo, Hawau 96720 ' (608)961-8234 • Far (806)961-6248 J' Apnl 4, 2001 The Honorable Chairman James Y Arakaki and Members of the County Council County of Hawaii Hilo, HI 96720 Re Operating Budget Emergencv Medical Services Program The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) pays for the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program through a contract with the Hawaii County Fire Department Part of the money received from the DOH is used to reimburse the County for the fringe benefits of EMS personnel. When the County's budget was developed for this fiscal year, total fringe benefits for the EMS program was estimated to be $1,288,557 After re-evaluating actual fringe benefits cost, it was determined that the fringe benefits rate charged to the EMS program for retirement, Medicare, workers' compensation, and unemployment compensation should be dropped to 5 1 % of salaries and wages from 15 71 resulting in a $470,250 reduction in fringe benefits cost recovery The cost for other fringe benefits did not change To retain the budgeted level of EMS funding, the DOH has authorized the Fire Department to re-direct the $470,250 in fringe benefits savings to pay for other EMS program priorities If not used, these funds will lapse at the end of this fiscal year The Fire Department plans to use the $470,250 for the following purposes • Purchase additional rescue equipment ($62,000); • Purchase three (3) additional ambulances now instead of waiting until next fiscal year, where it is budgeted ($349,250), • Supplement the overtime pay account to compensate EMS personnel recalled to meet EMS personnel shortages ($29,000); and • Supplement the salaries miscellaneous account to fund EMS proficiency pay for their new medical unit at Volcano ($30,000) 4~ Comm Na File No Ref. To: u lief. Date APR__ ~ ~nnt