Title
A resolution to authorize destruction of Emergency Medical Services Records (DISP 2015-221 PS-EMS 2003-2009).
Body
Recommended Action: Adopt the resolution and direct the Emergency Medical Services Director and the Records Manager to destroy the records.
Background: This records disposal follows the same model as disposals previously approved by the Commission, and applies the Records Management Policy approved in 1998. Kansas law (K.S.A. 45-404(c)) requires that destructions of County records be authorized by the Board of County Commissioners. Approval at this time is consistent with County policy and will create more space in the courthouse records center.
Records proposed for destruction total 8 boxes and consist of EMS billing records and timesheets for the years 2003-2009. A detail inventory is available, and will be maintained permanently by Records Management in both PDF and MS Excel formats as part of the documentation for the destruction case. All boxes are stored at the courthouse records center.
Analysis: County Records Management Policy is to destroy at the earliest opportunity records identified (1) as eligible under State law, and (2) that lack continuing value adequate to offset costs to retain and make accessible. Custodian for the records proposed for destruction, Emergency Medical Services Director Scott Hadley, has determined they have no continuing administrative value for operation of the Emergency Medical Services. Chief Financial Officer Chris Chronis has determined that they have no continuing fiscal value for County operations. The Records Manager has confirmed they are eligible for disposal by destruction, consistent with State retention schedules, and finds that they lack identifiable research value adequate to offset costs. WSU Curator Special Collections/University Archivist, Dr. Lorraine Madway who serves as an independent reviewer for archival value, agrees they lack substantive research value, and concurs in the recommendation to destroy. The County Counselor has confirmed these records no longer are needed to represent the County’s legal interests.
The resolution also would authorize the Emergency Medical Services Director and the Records Manager to destroy any records or duplicates, regardless of format or media, that may be found in the future that can be identified as the records series listed on the inventory and that fall within the time periods listed or previous.
Due to the fact that some of these records contain personal medical information of private persons, the Records Manager recommends that they be destroyed by shredding.
Alternatives: These records could continue to be retained, either in whole or in part, which would also continue associated costs to store and make accessible.
Financial Considerations: Fees for the commercial vendor to destroy are estimated at $12.00 ($1.50 per box). Finance has identified funds available within 12001-203 as sufficient to pay destruction fees.
Legal Considerations: The authority for this action is K.S.A. 45-401 et seq. A simple majority vote is required.
Policy Considerations: The recommended action would apply existing policy.