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Council reviews FY26 budget options, considers bringing ambulance and cross-trained firefighters in-house
Summary
The council reviewed the FY26 municipal budget and discussed a plan to start town-operated EMS and increase fire staffing; staff recommended funding start-up costs from designated funds and projected higher recurring operating expenses.
South Berwick — Town leaders discussed proposed changes to the fiscal year 2026 municipal budget, including a plan to establish a town-run emergency medical services and expanded fire staffing to address rising private-ambulance costs and volunteer staffing concerns.
Manager and department heads presented budget options that assume normal operations would result in a 3.9–4.9% municipal budget increase depending on whether the town draws $900,000 or $1,000,000 from the undesignated fund balance. The council discussed a proposal to create an in-house fire/EMS operation beginning in July 2026; startup activity would begin earlier with recruitment and training in May 2026.
Officials said the town’s contract with a private ambulance provider (York Ambulance) has risen to about $300,000 annually, up from roughly $100,000 in prior years; that increase and additional state-level proposals affecting private ambulance providers were cited as drivers for evaluating an in-house option. The proposed fire/EMS expansion would increase the town’s FY26 fire/EMS line from approximately $948,000 to roughly $1,260,000 for operating costs; start-up capital (vehicle, equipment, onboarding) would be recommended to come from designated funds.
Councilors also reviewed other FY26 items the manager proposed: partially funding a town-hall bond payment from the tax-increment financing (TIF) district (about half of the initial payment), temporary reductions in some CIP set-asides for one year, and additions such as an environmental behavioral health liaison position assigned within the police department and a 24-hour recreation staff position.
Why it matters: Any decision to start a municipal ambulance and expand paid fire/EMS staffing will change the town’s operating budget and staffing model. The move would shift some emergency-service costs from a private contractor to an in-house payroll and capital program, with associated start-up expense and recurring personnel costs.
What’s next: The council scheduled further budget workshops and will hold a public hearing on the final FY26 budget on April 8. Managers will return with refined figures and staffing plans; the council has not made a final decision to proceed with an in-house service but gave direction to continue planning.
