Christian County’s Fiscal Court took in a considerable update from Hopkinsville EMS/Fire officials last Tuesday morning, in which Board Chair Darrell Gustafson and Chief Steve Futrell relayed positive trends following a difficult spring.
Gustafson noted House Bill 8 funds — provided by the state for extra cares and burdens with Medicare and Medicaid — were up significantly from Fiscal Year ’23 to ’24 to north of $700,000, a gain of more than $200,000.
Total revenues in the same slate saw an increase of more than $359,000, up to $3.215 million, while ambulance fees — a main source of revenue — were up more than $260,000.
The switch to 911 Billing Services of Madisonville, he added, created a much better collection ratio.
With fiscal court picking up ECC fees, Gustafson said operating revenue was down more than $180,000, while the total net operating loss was around $568,000.
Futrell also noted the switch in billing services this past spring was more than prudent.
In the last 12 months, Futrell said Hopkinsville Fire/EMS answered right at 12,000 calls — 6,000 of those since January.
Historic operation expenses, he added, have also been a piece of the puzzle.
Speaking of ambulances, Futrell clarified that their boxes run an average 25,000 miles a month, and will continue to stay there due to the number of unique emergent and non-emergent runs necessary for all the victims.
Futrell said hiring more employees has helped address overtime issues and assisted with keeping operational expenses down, but a 200% increase in medical supply costs — coupled with higher-than-usual fuel and oil prices — have been difficult to mitigate.
Furthermore, Futrell and Judge-Executive Jerry Gilliam pointed out that at 12,000 runs annually, and Christian County’s population above 73,000, it means roughly 16% of the community rides an ambulance sometime during the year.
The good news, Futrell said, is a full staff and applications waiting in the wings.
