Emergency Management finishes year within budget; EOC upgraded and FY2027 expenses to drop about $18,000

Jim Davidsaver, Emergency Management director, told the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners on May 12 that the department will finish the current fiscal year within its planned budget and that last year’s major upgrade to the Emergency Operations Center is complete.

Davidsaver described the upgrade as a move to a more reliable, cloud‑based platform that enables remote technical support and preserves a familiar interface for staff during activations. He said the department’s FY2027 request reflects a 1.93 percent decrease — about $18,000 — which he attributed to two employees opting out of county health coverage and a one‑time reduction in the city GIS bill.

Commissioners questioned several budget lines. In response, Davidsaver said the media‑monitoring service experienced billing fluctuations during Spectrum upgrades but now runs about $125 to $130 per month. He also said increased travel and training costs are largely offset by federal reimbursements through the regional PET system; Meyer noted the budget includes additional revenue authority so reimbursable training costs can flow through the emergency management budget.

Davidsaver briefed the board on federal support programs, saying the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) remains a source of reimbursement but that federal guidance for the current year has not yet been released. He added that Emergency Management does not typically use the county technology fund because equipment costs are shared with the city, and that last year’s computer replacements met current needs. A proposed storage building remains on a long‑term, unfunded list, and negotiations are underway over the renewal of the IAMResponding system; Davidsaver said any cost increases from that renewal are expected to be minimal.

No formal actions were taken on Emergency Management’s budget at the meeting.