The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 22 appointed Roger Anderson, Todd Stowell and Andrew Mickelson as the inaugural commissioners of the newly formed Jefferson Central Ambulance District and confirmed use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to pay for a recently ordered ambulance. The commissioners were sworn in during the meeting.

The appointments follow a public vote establishing the ambulance district, and, as Chair Boyle said at the meeting, “per the state code, we as county commissioners select those 3 commissioners.” The board moved and approved the appointments by roll call.

Why it matters: the new district will administer emergency medical services in the area and must complete state paperwork and administrative set‑up quickly to operate and to levy property taxes. County staff told the commissioners the district must be fully organized and the paperwork “signed and dotted i’s” by Dec. 31 to levy in the next calendar year.

What the board decided and next steps: the board made a motion to create the commissioner positions for the ambulance district and named the three appointees. Each appointee was sworn in individually at the meeting with a public oath; for example, Roger Anderson recited, “I, Roger Anderson, do solemnly swear that I will support the constitution of The United States … and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of commissioner of the Jefferson Central Ambulance District.”

Commissioners and staff also addressed operational set‑up. County staff instructed the new commissioners they will need to set up a separate district bank account (the ambulance district cannot levy until next year, and initial operations will rely on revenue from calls or transfers from the fire district until levies begin). Colleen in the clerk’s office confirmed the state filing remains outstanding and needs to be completed “as soon as possible.”

ARPA funding for ambulance: earlier in the meeting a commissioner raised a procedural question about getting ARPA funds to pay for an ambulance that the county intends to pick up this week. County staff directed the commissioner to work with Rebecca and with Sherry in the treasurer’s office to process the ARPA claim and ensure funds are available. The board referenced an amount of about $202,650 for the ambulance purchase during that exchange.

Discussion versus formal action: the formal action was the appointment and swearing in of the three commissioners. Separate from that, county staff and commissioners discussed administrative steps (state filing deadlines, bank account set‑up, election timing for staggered terms) and procurement funding for the ambulance. The discussion items were directions to staff and information for the new commissioners rather than separate formal votes.

What was not decided at the meeting: the district’s meeting schedule, internal officer elections, and the district’s operational bylaws were not finalized during the session; the commissioners were told those are matters the new district board must decide.

Meeting evidence: comments about the state filing deadline, levy timing and ARPA payment were discussed on the record during the county commission meeting.