On Tuesday, June 6, 2023, the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a plan to incrementally raise Emergency Medical Services (EMS) rates over the next three fiscal years, which has been paid for out of the general fund.

• The rate increase is in response to the rising costs associated with providing emergency medical services to the growing number of residents and visitors to the county, with the goal of ensuring the delivery of the highest quality pre-hospital care.

Okaloosa Public Safety Director, Patrick Maddox, explained during Tuesday’s meeting that the decision to increase follows a 10% adjustment made in July 2022, the first increase since 2017.

Maddox proposed smaller, more frequent changes to avoid a repeat of such large-scale adjustments, stating, “What I promised to you at that time was that we wouldn’t have to make large-scale course corrections again, if it were within our power, and that we would make smaller, more well-planned course corrections on a routine basis to try to eliminate that gap in the future.”

This new adjustment, which will raise EMS rates by 2.5% each year for fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026, is projected to net the county around $500,000 with each increase. Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel made a motion to approve the adjustment while praising Maddox for his efforts in right-sizing the department.

• “There’s two things people really want when they make a 911 call; they want a police officer or sheriff at their door or they want an ambulance, if needed,” she said.

In 2022, Okaloosa County saw both a rise in visitor numbers and continued expansion, with new development both within the county and in unincorporated areas. This growth has led to an increase in emergency medical calls each year, and with it, a rising need for support services capable of handling the growth. Maddox emphasized that, alongside this plan, they aim to increase billable calls for service, maximizing revenue without burdening the residents unnecessarily.

This proposal is also a step to future-proof the county’s EMS services. As Maddox pointed out, costs such as fuel and service expenses are not likely to decrease in the near future. By implementing these rate increases, Okaloosa County is proactively responding to projected costs, ensuring that its EMS teams remain equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and can provide premier level care to residents and visitors alike.

Chairman Trey Goodwin emphasized that this increase was not a property tax or public safety assessment. “This is more akin to a charge for service and an adjustment in that rate,” he said. “Also, this will help keep this program less dependent on property taxes.” 

• He also added that there would be a difference in rate for residents versus non-residents.

As the county continues to grow and attract more visitors, officials are confident these changes will allow them to keep pace with demand and ensure the security and wellbeing of everyone in the county.