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Following a critical audit of Calhoun County EMS by the WV Office of Emergency Medical Services, the Calhoun Commission met Monday with current county EMS administrator Danny May and Minnie Hamilton Health System CEO Steve Whited to review the findings and seek a solution to provide ambulance service to county residents.
March Tucker, Director of Emergency Programs, told commissioners that he is not sure Calhoun EMS can be salvaged, that the financials are "in such disarray, that auditors can't make sense or estimate their debt."
Tucker indicated the agency was mostly being operated out of a check book, but the audit did not find criminal intent.
A further financial audit said the agency has continued to have problems paying withholding taxes for EMS employees after a serious incident a few years ago.
The report said Employer Quarterly Tax Returns for three recent fiscal years were not available, which resulted in late penalty and interest fines by IRS of $22,000. An earlier tax penalty problem reportedly occurred in an amount of $50,000-$60,000.
Commissioner Chip Westfall, said he was concerned about the aged equipment and breakdowns while providing service, saying "It is a cocked gun when it comes to someones life," in addition to liability problems.
Calhoun EMS has been borrowing ambulances from Minnie Hamilton Health System and other agencies to provide service, with their ambulances frequently in the shop.
While commission president Kevin Helmick said there are positives regarding EMS's performance in delivering care, the projected debt load could be $100,000, with a projected shortfall for the current year being $65,000-$100,000, indicating significant cutbacks are needed.
"The EMS money problem seems pretty overwhelming," Helmick said.
The state EMS audit was critical of collections not being properly managed, with no specific method in place to pay invoices, further saying the business practices directly impact EMS's ability to receive state and federal grant funding, or obtain bank loans.
Now, there is the problem obtaining or financing three ambulances that are worn out.
MHHS CEO Steve Whited said he has been working with Calhoun EMS, including getting the agency a $50,000 grant to meet payroll. "We're here to help the community...We fully stand ready," he said.
Minnie Hamilton is reimbursed at a higher rate for ambulance calls, which would help financial issues.
Director Danny May asked the commission to give him a year to straighten up the operation, saying "We got played and misled."
Commissioner Weaver said, "The position of Calhoun EMS not wanting oversight or providing financials has gotten us in this mess. If this was a business in the real world, the doors would have been closed."
Both Calhoun EMS and Minnie Hamilton will present proposals on how to continue providing ambulance service at an April 10 meeting.
See related story AUDITOR SAYS CALHOUN AMBULANCE SERVICE MAY NOT BE SALVAGEABLE - "Disarray" Prevents Making Sense Of Financial Status
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