The Northland Regional Ambulance District (NRAD) tax levy proposal was approved by voters Tuesday, April 2. Voters cast 1,392 votes for the levy increase to 1,273 against.
NRAD sought a 30 cent increase to its tax levy, which brings the district’s levy from about 38 cents to 68 cents per $100 assessed valuation, beginning with the 2024 tax year. It’s the district’s first levy increase in 18 years and officials say the additional funding will help the district to attract and retain qualified staff and meet additional operating expenses.
NRAD was established in 1994 by the registered voters within the district’s boundaries. The district is governed by an elected board of directors, who serve in the six subdistricts within NRAD’s boundaries. An executive director, hired by the board, oversees the day-to-day operations of the district.
The district encompasses more than 340 square miles in Platte and Clay counties, north of the Kansas City metropolitan area. The district includes the Camden Point, Dearborn, Smithville and Central Platte fire protection districts, as well as a portion of the Edgerton-Trimble Fire Protection District.
Executive Director Jason James said the board did not take the decision to bring this increase to the voters lightly.
“Several months of discussion were had by the board to look at options including how to keep up with continuing growth within the district,” James said.
Several factors went into the decision, including the increased costs of day-to-day business such as medical supplies and equipment, maintenance, fuel, utilities and more. The district also has had to, and needs to continue to, keep up with the market for qualified paramedics and EMTs in the Kansas City metro area, James said. Human resource costs have increased dramatically over the last seven years, fueled by shortages of personnel in the area, competitive wage increases with all EMS providers in the area, and increased insurance and benefit costs (health, workers compensation and liability) due to the nature and high risks of the job. Lastly, the district has increased its community outreach over the last 10 years. The district now provides education in CPR, first aid, and Stop-the-Bleed to all areas of the community including school districts, churches, daycares, scout groups and municipal and county employees. NRAD has increased its involvement with providing internal training to save costs, and more recently has assisted area schools and other agencies with Narcan use and training and partners with local hospitals to ensure the best outcomes for patients.
Population and call volume growth within the district over the last 15 years has increased NRAD’s staffing from two staffed ambulances a day to four per day with a first response battalion chief as well.
The timing of the increase was pushed forward by the COVID pandemic, he said. The pandemic strained resources, personnel, and dramatically increased the costs of doing business.
The board intends to fund the district for the next 10 years with the increase and James said the public will see benefits immediately and within the next five years. Another staffed ambulance will be added to the district within the next five years as well.
“The increase will fund continued staffing, training, and other human resource costs,” James said. “The increase will ensure our ability to obtain and keep the best qualified staff for our residents and ensure they are some of the best trained in the area.”