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Hubbard County creates Walker-area ambulance service district after public hearing
Summary
After public comment citing long response times, the Hubbard County Board of Commissioners approved a special taxing district to fund ambulance service covering Walker and surrounding areas.
The Hubbard County Board of Commissioners voted to form a special taxing district to fund ambulance service for the Walker primary service area following a public hearing Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Supporters said the district is intended to stabilize local ambulance coverage and shorten response times. Michael Bates, a supervisor in White Oak Township, told commissioners, “I am in support of the taxing district.” He urged the county to also press state and federal policymakers for funding and policy changes that would help rural emergency services.
The board opened the public hearing after receiving updated budget and provider history information that was not available at a November meeting. Residents and local responders described long waits for ambulance service. Roger Geimer, a member of the East Harbor County Fire District, said response delays can be severe: “In Akeley, we have to wait minimum of a half hour to get an ambulance,” and recounted an incident with an hour-long wait.
Commissioners discussed that forming the taxing district would permit local tax support for ambulances and give the county a formal mechanism to plan service levels, staffing and equipment. Commissioners noted, however, that changes to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement and other statewide policies affect providers’ finances and that addressing those larger funding issues may require advocacy at the state and federal level.
After public comment the board voted to approve formation of the Walker ambulance special taxing district. The motion passed on voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.
The board and staff said next steps will include establishing the district’s boundaries, adopting the taxing authority language, and later deliberating budget and service-level decisions such as staffing or vehicle additions, which would carry additional costs and may be subject to further public notice and hearings.
The county indicated it received a written public comment by email and that commissioners expect continued discussions with neighboring counties and providers about mutual aid and regional service planning.
