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County faces $643,000 paramedic fund shortfall; staff urges truth‑in‑taxation notice window
Summary
Weber County staff reported a projected $643,000 shortfall in the paramedic service fund for the remainder of the year after adding a Northview paramedic unit and approved contract increases; staff recommended initiating truth‑in‑taxation (TNT) notice steps to fund 2026 needs and avoid depleting reserves.
Weber County staff told commissioners Sept. 15 the county’s paramedic fund faces a shortfall of roughly $643,000 for the remainder of the fiscal year after the county approved a new Northview paramedic unit and contract increases for fire agencies.
Staff said the Northview unit went into service in July; the annualized cost per paramedic unit is about $594,000 under current contracts, and the county now budgets for seven full units in 2026. With the new unit and recent contract changes, staff estimated the county would need an additional $1.9–$2.1 million to fund paramedic operations at the levels requested by the fire agencies — a funding gap that, if addressed entirely through property‑tax increases, would translate to an approximate 3.2% countywide tax increase for 2026 in one scenario presented.
Fire agencies have requested a larger share of the cost (staff reported the agencies proposed a 70/30 split in which the county would cover 70% of paramedic costs), but staff said it appears the county has historically paid a lower share (staff will verify the precise current percentage). Commissioners recalled approving a partial increase last year and noted the agencies’ operating costs have continued to rise.
Staff flagged two additional budget issues: the county’s heavy‑rescue contract — currently funded at roughly $285,000 annually — expires Dec. 31, 2025, and the county’s equipment‑replacement schedule for paramedic vehicles and remounts will require ongoing capital contributions. If the commission funds the agencies’ full requests and continues heavy rescue and equipment replacement as proposed, staff said the paramedic fund balance would fall below the county’s minimum reserve policy by 2027.
Given statutory noticing and printing deadlines associated with truth‑in‑taxation (TNT) and the new requirements under state Senate Bill 29 for the tax‑notice insert, staff urged commissioners to start the TNT notification process if the commission wants to consider a tax increase to stabilize paramedic funding for 2026. Staff said the county must notify the state tax commission by Oct. 1 if it intends to pursue TNT, and the tax‑notice insert that reaches taxpayers in October requires lead time from the county’s print vendor.
Commissioners discussed options including partial funding, revisiting the county share percentage, or pursuing TNT for 2026. No final decision was made; staff said they will share detailed budget scenarios with commissioners and coordinate TNT scheduling if the commission directs staff to move forward.
