Opinion By Linda Dean Cooper

The powers that be believe an update on the county’s code enforcement sign initiative is more important than outdated EMS billing fees.  At least that’s how it appears.  Don’t forget property owners pay an additional $154 assessment on their tax bill to subsidize the Levy ambulance service.

Why Is the code enforcement sign initiative update more important than the 10-year-old, 2014 fees that Director of Public Safety Mitch Harrell uses to bill patients?  His department has been writing off over $1 million annually for years and under billing insurance companies with the current fee resolution.

Director Harrell Requests Money to Buy New Reporting Software

Harrell is on the agenda to purchase a reporting system for Fire and EMS but no discussion about the outdated fees his department uses to bill patients.  According to agenda item 7, Harrell is requesting $11,180 one-time with an annual recurring total of $24,322.56 (initial total of $35,502.56.)  The justification for the request is to have a reporting system for fire and EMS reports. The system is an upgrade of their current reporting system.

Why No Discussion on Outdated 2014 EMS Fees

There is no mention of a discussion on updating billing fees. Why? The usual tax and spend mentality is killing the average taxpayer.  Is it time for EMS to go private?  At the very least it should be explored by sending out bids.  See if there is a better way to do business.  There’s no harm in looking.  Tax and Spend policies are killing the average taxpayer.  The free ride on the backs of the working man has got to end!

Organization Restructure or Scuffling Favored Employees with a Pay Raise?

Tuesday’s meeting is one of a few night meetings.  Start time is 6:00 pm.  Pay attention to the important agenda item # 6. There will be a discussion about the possible approval of a new organizational structure with the addition of Division Directors.  The new Division Directors will be chosen from internal candidates only, and it comes with a raise.   Anyone who follows Levy County politics can predict the new division directors.  There will be NO outside advertising for the new positions. Expect the same old stale, do-nothing policies from the same people.    This is not restructuring, it is shuffling the deck to give favored employees more money. 

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Posted January 20, 2025