MEDINA, Ohio -- Due in part to increased costs and the phasing out of state subsidies, the City of Medina is seeking a renewal of its 2.2-mill Emergency Medical Services levy, as well as a 1-mill addition.
If passed, the 3.2 mills is expected to general $1.6 million annually and cost $35 per year for every $100,000 of property valuation, based upon figures from the Medina County Auditor’s Office.
Medina Finance Director Keith Dirham explained that the EMS service is a partnership among Cleveland Clinic Medina Hospital, which provides the EMS service; the City of Medina; and Montville and Medina townships. The current 2.2-mill levy represents the city’s portion of the EMS funding.
Dirham said the EMS service partnership was formed in 1976 and the levy has been renewed every year since. An increase has not been sought in 20 years.
“Part of it is the state phasing out the personal property tax and the fact that there is no inflationary increase with a property tax,” Dirham said. “And part of it is costs.”
He said that while the city was able to build up a reserve for several years, “we have been losing money for the past seven years.”
“There have been a lot of different costs,” Dirham said. “An ambulance 20 years ago cost $90,000. A new one is $196,000. A Lifepak heart monitor was $8,000 in 1999. Today, they are $30,000 apiece.”
Dirham said the EMS is staffed with “highly trained, very high-level paramedics” providing quality service. Letting people know how much that type of service costs, however, is his biggest concern heading into election season.
“Everyone I explain the costs to understands why we need (the levy),” Dirham said. “My concern is that we get the message out.”
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