EMS tax issue has lingering questions

A local income tax to fund emergency medical services — a topic first broached earlier this year — is still on the mind of county leaders.

During the May meeting of the Putnam County Council, Putnam County EMS Chief Kelly Russ again made a pitch for implementing an EMS LIT (local income tax) and stop the service from relying on the county general fund.

“I’m coming to ask that we reconsider the rate,” Russ said, noting that for a LIT to go into effect in 2024, it must be presented to the State of Indiana by Oct. 21.

When the council first considered the matter in January, Councilman Jay Alcorn made a motion that the county implement the tax at 0.1 percent, but it died for lack of a second.

Russ is asking that not only a tax be implemented, but at a rate of 0.19 percent, nearly twice Alcorn’s proposal.

She noted that the original proposal would have still kept the department running at a deficit, thus requiring county general money, as well as not covering what she sees as much-needed raises.

To this point, Russ noted that Clinton County EMS has been offering a flat salary of $70,000 for paramedics. Based on population, demographics and location in Western Indiana, Clinton and Montgomery are two counties that are often compared to Putnam County in such matters.

“We are going to lose people,” Russ said of other departments offering higher salaries. “I’m suggesting .19, but I’m at least hoping for something that would cover the raises.”

The raises in question would be in the area of 21 percent.

Councilman Phil Gick said such decisions should not be made based on comparison to a single entity, but several comparable departments and communities.

“I’ve been in favor of a LIT for EMS for months now,” Gick said. “I’m not in favor of it at .19 percent.”

At a minimum, the goal is to have a single source of tax money — aside from fees EMS collects — to fund the department. The biggest portion of this, at least $850,000, comes from county general.

“Right now, they are funded from three different pots,” Council President Stephanie Campbell said. “To me, the goal is to ultimately have it from one place where it is funded.”

County Auditor Kristina Berish concurred.

“You’re talking about $1 million out of county general right now,” Berish said. “We need that off.”

Even if that figure of $850,000-$1 million gets covered, it still doesn’t answer the question of salary increases.

Councilman Larry Parker noted that the county is still waiting on the returns of a salary study that is likely to have far-reaching effects on county wages beyond EMS.

“I don’t think that we should do anything until we get that salary study,” Parker said. “We don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Berish noted that unfortunately, the LIT matter needs to be largely settled when the council works on the 2024 budget, which will be in August and September. The salary study simply may not be complete in time.

“This isn’t something we’re going to get figured out tonight,” Campbell said. “But it’s something we need to address ASAP.”

Gick agreed, but also said he wants more information.

“I don’t want to wait until Oct. 31, but I also want to make an informed decision,” Gick said.

Putting a bow on the discussion for now was Keith Berry, long a voice of fiscal conservativism voices on the council.

“I don’t ever want to raise taxes, but if somebody needs an ambulance, they need an ambulance,” Berry said.

The matter will be considered again at future meetings, the next of which is set for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20.