Mo. Ambulance District Budget Projects Decreased Expenditures

Nov. 22--WARRENSBURG -- The proposed 2017 Johnson County Ambulance District budget anticipates total revenues of $4,391,700 and expenditures of $4,442,574.

Revenues are projected to be up about $100,000 over 2015. Expenditures are projected to be down about $298,000.

The budget, which the board will adopt in December, anticipates receipt of $2.5 million in user fees, up about $100,000 from the $2.4 million projected in 2016.

Tax collections are expected to increase from $1.8 million in 2016 to $1.835 million next year.

Fees to decrease are for standby ambulance, surplus supplies sale, account collections, interest income and copies.

Operating expenses may total $4,222,674, up by about a $395,000, based on a full staff, Chief Shane Lockard said.

Ambulance operating expense of $350,200 is up about $40,000, due to higher costs of medical supplies, fuel, equipment maintenance and oxygen.

Facility expenses should fall, and utilities are projected to rise by about $3,500.

Radio and cell phone expenses are projected to be up about $3,700 over 2015, and computer expenses show a projected $12,000 increase.

Payroll and employee benefits will total $2,455,200 and $703,800, respectively, up $262,600 over 2015, based on full staffing. Employee management expenses will increase from $135,300 to $192,700, mainly due to paying $92,000 for protective gear.

The $190,500 capital expense budget will fall by about $697,000 from 2015, when the district bought new ambulances for $573,900 and land for a headquarters building.

The budget show a $112,000 drop in spending for capital equipment and supplies, from $145,000 to $33,000, and less for construction/facilities, from $168,500 to $80,000.

A support vehicle is budgeted at $45,000.

Copyright 2016 - The Daily Star-Journal, Warrensburg, Mo.