The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About03/03/2026 09.B. Financial Analysis of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Levy l'.4‘ , F s BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT Item No. 9.B. For Meeting of: March 3, 2026 ITEM TITLE: Financial Analysis of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Levy SUBMITTED BY: *Craig Warner, Director of Finance and Budget *Aaron Markham, Fire Chief SUMMARY EXPLANATION: At their February 3rd meeting, Council motioned for staff to provide further financial analysis of a potential EMS Levy. Staff will provide the presentation for Council consideration and requests direction regarding a proposed City of Yakima Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Levy to support fire and EMS operations, including the potential placement of a levy measure on an upcoming election ballot. ITEM BUDGETED: No STRATEGIC PRIORITY 24-25: A Resilient Yakima RECOMMENDATION: Staff seeks City Council direction regarding: 1. Whether to proceed with placing a City EMS levy measure on a future ballot; 2. The preferred levy term (6-year or 10-year); and 3. The preferred operational funding model (Option A or Option B). Further direction will allow staff to prepare the necessary ballot ordinance and coordinate with the Yakima County Elections Office in accordance with the election calendar. ATTACHMENTS: EMS levy presentation-Financial Review 03032026.pdf 138 ; TIM, �• •'s,�: IIRE DEO Emergency Levy P Aaron Markham, Fire Chief Susan Madrigal, Admin. Assistant to the Fire Chief Jonathan Hood, Deputy Fire Chief Operations Christopher Hutsell, Deputy Chief Administration Craig Warner, Director of Finance 139 �a rim„o �• •'ems FIRE DEO Funding P • EMS Levy of $0.25/$1,000 AV — Estimated $3 million per year • $0. 16/$ 1,000 AV would fund staffing at Station 92 • Remaining Funds can be used for additional EMS Services • Fill vacant Fire Fighter positions with FF/Paramedics • Purchase new aid unit and ALS equipment • Fund fire station repairs and maintenance • Equipment Replacement 140 �a crim„o �• •'ems FIRE DEO Costing • Station 92 Operations • 2026 Budget Reduction was for $1.8 million which resulted in the loss of Station 92 - $1.89 million to fund in 2027 (5% increase) • Paramedics-Advanced Life Support (ALS) • FF entry level with EMT-Basic Certification at $ 140,832 each • Paramedic-ALS Certification entry level estimated at $ 155,832 • Net cost for FF EMT-Basic to Paramedic-ALS is $15,000 entry level • Paramedic-ALS Lateral estimated at $172,332 • Net cost for FF EMT-Basic to Paramedic-ALS is $31,500 lateral 141 s` • •'ems owl (31„o „4 ,4. FIRE DE? Costing Equipment/Capital • Upgrade Current Engines to ALS • 5 Engines at $ 150,000 each - total $750,000 • Equipment Replacement • 5 Engines at $ 1.2 million each w/15 year life - $400,000 yr • 1 Ladder Truck at $2.4 million w/20 year life - $120,000 yr • Total replacement $520,000 yr — Current Funding $200,000 • Net Funding needed $320,000 yr w/5% inflator 142 litt,0 L"s q1MOV F/RE DE? Option • Maintain staffing for full operations at Fire Station 92 • Fill future vacant Fire Fighter positions with candidates with Paramedic certifications (6 per year (3 entry level-3 lateral ) for a total of 18 FTE's)) • Advanced Life Supports equip (2 engine retrofits per year) • Equipment Replacement/Maintenance fund ( per schedule or funding) • Building Maintenance fund ( Remaining funds for buildings) • Consider paramedic training for current firefighters contingent on interest/cost/and program availability Note: All costs are estimated with a 5% annual growth 143 sue' ;/'s :r, 'tr :ems •. .tiM, $3,500,000 Option $3,000,000 _ $2,500,000 Costing $2,000,000 Li Costi $1,500,000 $1,000,000 ■Facilities Repairs $500,000 •Equipment Replacement ■ALS Equipment $- 2027 2028 2029 2030 203 2032 ■Paramedic Enhancement ■Station 92 Projections: 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Station 92 $ 1,890,000 $ 1,984,500 $ 2,083,725 $ 2,187,911 $ 2,297,307 $ 2,412,172 Paramedic Enhancement $ 139,500 $ 292,950 $ 461,396 $ 484,466 $ 508,689 $ 534,124 ALS Equipment $ 300,000 $ 300,000 $ 150,000 $ - $ - $ - Equipment Replacement $ 320,000 $ 346,000 $ 365,179 $ 401,965 $ 315,816 $ 206,734 Facilities Repairs $ 350,500 $ 106,550 $ - $ 16,561 $ - $ - $ 3,000,000 $ 3,030,000 $ 3,060,300 $ 3,090,903 $ 3,121,812 $ 3,153,030 Revenue $ 3,000,000 $ 3,030,000 $ 3,060,300 $ 3,090,903 $ 3,121,812 $ 3,153,030 $ - $ - $ (0) $ (0) $ (0) $ (0) Note:Costs for labor and equipment replacement have been estimated to have a 5%annual inflation adjustment 144 Estimates for Revenue growth are capped at a 1%growth,although this would likely adjust in 2030 when the new EMS levy starts at$.25. '..�,,t� �r TIM„0 04,440., 1r"s 4' AREDEP Option • Maintain staffing for full operations at Fire Station 92 • Hire 6 additional Firefighters w/ EMT Basic certifications (6 FF EMT-Basic positions in total ) • Activate one ( 1) EMT Basic aid unit out of station 93 • Equipment Replacement/Maintenance Fund ( per schedule) • Building Maintenance Fund ( Remaining Funds) Note: All costs are estimated with a 5% annual growth 145 1,-., . 1 '11••'.) \ c.pOlItt,oAi41C 1 NE DEO $4,000,000 Option $3,500,000 $3,000,000 Cal $2,500,000 os n $2,000,000 iii $1,500,000 $1,000,0000$500,000 ■Equipment Replacement ■Aid Unit $- 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031. 2032 •St3ti0n 92 Projections: 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Station 92 $ 1,890,000 $ 1,984,500 $ 2,083,725 $ 2,187,911 $ 2,297,307 $ 2,412,172 Aid Unit Staff $ 844,993 $ 887,243 $ 931,605 $ 978,185 $ 1,027,095 $ 1,078,449 Equipment Replacement $ 265,007 $ 158,257 $ 44,970 $ - $ - $ - TotalFunding $ 3,000,000 $ 3,030,000 $ 3,060,300 $ 3,166,097 $ 3,324,401 $ 3,490,621 Revenue $ 3,000,000 $ 3,030,000 $ 3,060,300 $ 3,090,903 $ 3,121,812 $ 3,153,030 $ (0) $ 0 $ (0) $ (75,194) $ (202,589) $ (337,591) Note:Costs for labor have been estimated to have a 5%annual inflation adjustment 146 Estimates for Revenue growth are capped at a 1%growth,although this would likely adjust in 2030 when the new EMS levy starts at$.25. AREDE9E/ Yakima County EMS Levy History • Originated back in 1991 (YCDEMS webpage ) • Successfully renewals in 1996, 2002, 2013, and 2023 • Current levy expires on December 31, 2029 • Renewal was 6-year term at $0 . 25/ 1000 AV �a .IAKIMA s` 'ems FARE DE?, EMS Levy • Terms 6-year and 10-year options • Must expire at the same time as the countywide EMS levy • Initial imposition requires 60% supermajority vote • Must meet validation requirements from most recent state general election • State maximum is $0.50 per/1000 AV • May not be on the same ballot as the countywide EMS levy • Renewals simple majority; no validation 148 .pown,,„ s`�• •'ems .,,,dk.. nlyql ,.,. , ,. � /REDEPt. Yakima Calendar 20261111 Feb 10 Apr 28 Aug 4 Nov 3 Election Date 2026 2026 2026 2026 resolution due Dec 12 Feb 27 May 1 Aug 4 8 day by mail or online registration and update deadline Feb 2 Apr 20 July 27 Oct 26 in-person Feb 10 Apr 28 Aug 4 Nov 3 registration and update deadline 8pm 8pm 8pm 8pm overseas/military ballots mailed Jan 9 Mar 27 June 19 Sept 18 ballots available Jan 23 Apr 10 July 17 Oct 16 election certified Feb 20 May 8 Aug 18 Nov 24 149 1,�: 4+, ,,w1h •'.1 \ OKIMq F,'7: :.....: a:ir .1 FIRE DEP. • • Questions • 150