Ron Dille, Director of Austin County Emergency Services was on hand at Austin County Commissioner’s Court earlier in August to answer questions about budget concerns.  The budget concerns were not made in a formal setting.  The questions about the current budget of ACEMS were posted on a popular social media site by one of the Commissioners.

According to Tommy Johnson, owner of the social media site where the discussion took place, Commissioner Reese Turner posted several questions.  Among those questions were: why the department does not run a 12 hour split shift similar to that of the Austin County Sheriff’s Department, why does the department not have a full time EMS Director and why ACEMS needs a new station in precinct 4?

Man power and money seem to be the answers to all those questions.  “In order to run a split shift you would need more manpower, and it would require that ACEMS would have to carry more insurance to cover the employees,” stated Johnson.  Johnson has worked in Houston as a paramedic and has been a part of a private EMS.  He is also a resident of Austin County and was part of the ACEMS as a volunteer several years ago.

In Dille’s presentation to Commissioner’s Court he showed them several different scenarios as to the amount of EMTs it would take to decrease overtime.  In every scenario it did require additional staff.  He also showed what the county would be looking at in order to hire a full time EMS Director.  “This is one thing Mr. Turner and I agree on,” stated Dille, “the County does need to look at having a full time director.”  In his presentation he showed salaries for surrounding counties EMS directors.  “Between $60,000 and $70,000 per year is what it will take to have a full time EMS Director,” said Dille.Advertise Here

The other item that was addressed was a new station for Precinct 4 in Sealy.  Dille presented a drawing of plans that would accommodate what is needed to replace the current station.  “Sealy is our fastest growing area and we are in need of a new station,” said Dille.  The plans included bay areas for the ambulances, living quarters for the paramedics, and office and storage space. He went on to say, “This is a future plan the current station is not in the best of shape.”  Judge Carolyn Bilski suggested that each of the Commissioners take a field trip to view the current station.

At the end of the presentation Bilski also suggested that the commissioners take time to look over the budget proposal and ask questions via email of Dille.  His response to that was directed at Turner, “Please don’t do your questions other places just email them.”  This is referring to the social media discussion made earlier in the month that caused so much controversy.

The current budget for ACEMS budget $1,616,277.00 or 12.327% of the of the 2014 budget.  The highest percentage of the budget is allocated to the Austin County Sheriff’s Department.  It has 19.668% or $2,578,832.  The 2015 budget will be discussed at next week’s Commissioner’s Court.

As budget time creeps up on Austin County officials every department in Austin County are presenting Austin County Commissioner’s Court with their budget requests and needs.  Ron Dille, Director of Austin County Emergency Services made his budget presentation to them.

Director Dille laid out the budget of ACEMS and explained where the county stood comparatively to surrounding counties.  Showing Austin County Commissioner’s that compared to other counties the current system is working.  How long will that system last though?  As the county grows and expands so will its needs.

In his presentation Dille explains to the court the amount of hours it takes to run a successful EMS for a county this size.  Also taking into consideration the Intestates and Highways that run through Austin County.  The current budget calls for more employees than what ACEMS has on staff.  “Unfortunately we do not have the people it takes to work the current budgeted schedules,” stated Dille.  He went on to explain that ACEMS had some issues in the last year that caused the department to be less appealing to new hires than other counties.

Commissioners were presented with four different types of salary proposals for the new budget.  Two included high amounts of overtime two did not.  Staffing seems to be the issue.  If EMS can get the required amount of people on staff.  Then the budget would not take as much of a hit from overtime.