At a meeting of the Jefferson County Commission, commissioners voted to approve an order declaring formation of the Jefferson Central Ambulance District and to adopt the district boundaries attached to the order. The commission deferred consideration of a county funding request from Central Fire Ambulance until staff can verify available American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and other county funds.

The ambulance district formation matters because the new district will be authorized to set a levy and contract for ambulance service within its boundaries; commissioners said the district must be formed by Oct. 1 so levy rates can be set in time to take effect at the start of the next fiscal year. The district also establishes a separate budget and staffing arrangements between the fire and ambulance organizations.

Central Fire representatives described operational needs and a near-term equipment purchase during the presentation. Amanda, identified in the meeting as Central Fire’s office manager, told the commission the district plans to buy an ambulance from Clark County for $260,000 that “has 7,000 miles on it,” and said the vehicle includes an installed power cot valued at about $40,000. She said Central Fire previously paid about $330,000 for a prior ambulance and that the district’s annual billing receipts were about $401,000. “So I guess what we would like to ask for is 600,000,” Amanda said, describing a request that combined operating support and equipment purchase.

County staff and commissioners pressed on timing and revenue. Heather, a county staff member, told the panel that ARPA funds are managed by a county administrator who was out of town and that the commission did not have an immediate, definitive accounting of available ARPA balances: “Our ARPA funds is … managed by Rebecca, and Rebecca is not here today. She's in Utah.” Commissioners said they were constrained by statutory budget rules that limit how much the county budget can increase in a year and by the timing of levy revenues tied to the newly formed ambulance district. One commissioner recommended postponing the funding decision so staff could confirm available sources and present a clear funding plan: “I’d recommend that we table it and put it on the agenda as an action item,” the commissioner said on the record.

On the formal motions, the commission voted to adopt the order forming the Jefferson Central Ambulance District and its attached boundaries. Commissioners directed staff to advertise for initial district commissioner appointments and to return with names and any documents (the order requires signatures and notarization) for approval in open meeting. Commissioners also agreed to place Central Fire’s financial request on the agenda for the next meeting so the board can review confirmed ARPA and other fund balances before taking a funding action.

County staff and Central Fire leaders discussed operational next steps: Central Fire plans to run an Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance as a frontline unit by October, which commissioners noted may affect billing and revenue. Commissioners and staff also discussed interlocal arrangements—how the new ambulance district will contract for facility space, manpower and backup response with existing fire districts and nearby municipal ambulance providers, including Idaho Falls and Bonneville County.

The commission’s vote created the legal district and the schedule to advertise for initial board members. The question of whether the county will provide up to $600,000 to Central Fire — described by presenters as roughly $300,000 to support a year of operations and $300,000 to purchase a replacement ambulance — is tabled to the commission’s next meeting while staff confirm available ARPA and other funds and prepare a recommended funding motion.

Next steps: staff will (1) confirm ARPA and general-fund balances and report back at the next meeting; (2) publish the ambulance district formation and advertise for initial commissioner applications; and (3) return with clearer budget options for the commissioners to act on the requested county contribution.