Idaho Falls flags $1.2M EMS overtime shortfall and staffing disconnects

City finance staff alerted the council to significant public-safety budget stress stemming from overtime and unplanned staffing timing. "On the fire side, that's on the general fund. They were over budget $150,000. The EMS side, they were over $1,200,000," Brooks, the assistant finance manager, said during the fiscal review.

Councilors and staff traced much of the EMS overage to high overtime costs driven by extended leaves and backfill requirements under new contracts, and to a timing mismatch when some hires approved for later quarters were filled earlier than anticipated. One councilor noted training and deployment schedules (including FAA training for airport-assigned hires) meant earlier hires did not provide the expected cost relief when other staff were absent.

Council concerns focused on two fixes: better interdepartmental communication about hire timing and clearer liaison-to-council reporting so directors do not assume tacit approval for early hiring. Brooks said the EMS overage has drawn down fund balance and that staff will work with fire on corrective measures.

What council asked for: members asked staff to report back with a plan to address the overtime trend and with clearer protocols for hiring that ensure council is informed when hires move ahead of originally authorized dates. The fiscal note from Brooks warned that the EMS overage reduced the department's fund balance materially and that similar contract-driven overtime risks remain if vacancies continue.

Next steps: Finance will continue to monitor overtime costs, work with fire department leadership on staffing and scheduling strategies, and return with recommendations for reducing reliance on double-time backfill and for improving HR and liaison notification procedures.