Commissioners weigh shifting half‑cent funds to ambulance service as air subsidy faces cliff

Commissioners and staff discussed using leftover half‑cent funds to shore up ambulance service after county staff reported the county could face a budget gap for air service subsidies in mid‑2026.

County staff said roughly $1.3 million remained in the half‑cent funds beyond existing commitments and proposed using a portion to reduce ambulance operating shortfalls this year. One commissioner proposed a $650,000 placeholder to be used toward ambulance operations if needed. Commissioners noted the county must decide quickly because ambulance providers need planning certainty and the air‑service subsidy could run out in mid‑2026, creating an estimated gap the meeting referenced as roughly $1.7 million to sustain the air subsidy beyond the current runway.

Commissioners discussed alternative reductions in ambulance service, including changing shift profiles (12‑hour shifts), reducing coverage hours or running fewer ambulances; staff warned that those changes would reduce service levels and would require further operational planning and notice to providers. Commissioners also discussed whether the county’s existing contributions to the airport (a prior half‑cent allocation) could be redirected to ambulance funding; staff warned that redirecting funds may delay or reduce air subsidy payments and could create timing issues for the airport subsidy.

In the same budget conversation the commission reviewed other transportation requests: the county’s regional transit authority (WRTA) requested approximately $98,343 from the county for the coming year; commissioners deferred a final decision until they complete a broader review of half‑cent allocations and other high‑priority requests.

No final reallocation was approved at the hearing; staff were directed to return with options, legal considerations and timing implications so the commission can decide before the next budget deadline.