FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Call Volumes Increased by 17% For Emergency Medical Services in Skagit County
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Skagit County funds a countywide Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system that provides 24/7 life-saving medical response and ambulance transport to 132,000 residents across Skagit County covering 1,731 miles. Whether responding to a mental health crisis in downtown Mount Vernon or a life-threatening medical emergency in Concrete, Skagit County EMS provider agencies are ready every day for every kind of emergency across the county.
Last year, Skagit County EMS provider agencies responded to over 18,000 calls and provided over 9,200 transports to area hospitals. Due to area growth and an aging population, call volumes have increased by 17% over the last three years, resulting in increased costs for medical supplies, fuel, equipment, personnel, and ambulance replacements.?
Skagit County EMS is funded by a voter-approved EMS levy limited to $.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Last renewed in 2018, it will likely make the ballot sometime in 2024 before it expires. ?There is common misconception that revenue increases annually by the same amount as assessed property values. However, that is not the case,? said Josh Pelonio, Director of Skagit County EMS. Levy rates drop as property values rise to limit taxing agencies to approximately the same amount of revenue per year, plus a 1% increased allowed by state law. As a result, since the EMS levy was last renewed, the rate has dropped from $.44 per $1,000 to $.32 per $1,000. This ?levy compression? impacts the ability for EMS to provide emergency services as call volumes and costs increase.
Renewing the EMS levy would continue to fund life-saving paramedics and emergency medical technicians, medical supplies, medications, and other essential equipment. For example, ambulances have reached the end of their service lives and need replacing at an average cost of $400,000 each. Cardiac monitors and defibrillators also need to be replaced at a cost of $50,000 each. If the EMS levy is not renewed by voters, it will significantly impact the ability of Skagit County EMS provider agencies to provide life-saving response and ambulance transports countywide.
The current EMS levy costs the owner of a $555,000 home (median assessed value) $177.60 per year or $14.80 per month. The renewal rate presented to voters will be decided by the Board of Skagit County Commissioners and has yet to be determined. Before a final decision is made, opportunities for discussion will be made available to the public.
Learn more about the EMS levy at www.skagitcounty.net or contact Skagit County EMS at (360) 416-1830 or [email protected].
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