FCAG proposes 0.75‑cent sales tax to shore up ambulance, air and transit services
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Summary
A Fremont County Association of Governments committee recommended placing a 0.75‑cent economic development sales tax on the ballot to fund ambulance services, commercial air service and the Wind River Transit Authority; commissioners discussed revenue splits, timing and municipal participation but took no final vote.
Mick Pryor, chair of a joint FCAG committee on funding key services, urged Fremont County commissioners to consider a 0.75‑cent economic development sales tax to fund ambulance operations, commercial air service and regional public transit. Pryor told the board the county’s current ambulance system ‘‘likely costs somewhere between 3.4 and $3,800,000,’’ and that the FCAG analysis showed a three‑quarter cent sales tax would generate roughly $6.5 million based on FY23 collections, with about $3.5 million of that needed for ambulance service alone.
Why it matters: Commissioners and FCAG members said ambulance service is operating at a minimal level of coverage and that equipment and staffing shortfalls threaten service continuity for outlying communities including Shoshone, Du Bois Pavilion, Atlantic City and Jeffrey City. Pryor and county staff warned a funding gap would grow if the county continues paying subsidies out of the general fund without a stable revenue source.
Committee recommendation and mechanics: The FCAG resolution recommends placing the 0.75‑cent economic development sales tax on the primary ballot. Pryor said sales tax collections would be distributed by population center under state rules (the county would receive roughly half, Riverton about 25 percent, with smaller shares to other municipalities) and that the tax would cover three buckets: ambulance (~$3.5M), commercial air service (~$2.0M) and Wind River Transit Authority (~$1.0M). Pryor cautioned those figures are estimates and depend on future insurance and Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements to ambulance providers.
Commissioner concerns and suggested options: Commissioners pressed on governance, accountability and timing. One commissioner argued any new revenue should be administered by elected officials or a body with elected representation to ensure taxpayers can hold decision‑makers accountable. Pryor acknowledged the difficulty of balancing municipal and tribal interests and noted state statute constrains what district structures can do; the FCAG considered a joint powers board or other models but concluded a coordinated approach involving the county and cities is likely necessary to capture enough revenue.
Budget and transition issues: Commissioners asked whether the county would be reimbursed for current assets and how service contracts and fleet maintenance would be handled under a new governance model. Pryor said those transfer details should be negotiated in an MOU and that the FCAG’s role was to present feasible funding and governance options rather than a single required solution. Commissioners also discussed bridging the gap between when new tax revenue is collected and when bills are due; Pryor suggested using prior half‑cent economic development funds as a temporary source to avoid service interruptions.
Next steps: The committee returns to the Fremont County Association of Governments for direction on continuing work; commissioners were advised there is a procedural deadline to place a measure on the ballot (roughly five months from the discussion) and that staff have prepared draft ballot language. Commissioners agreed to continue discussions and to engage municipalities and tribes about administration, revenue splits and oversight.
At the meeting: The FCAG presentation and ensuing discussion were informational; no binding vote to place a tax on the ballot occurred. The commission kept the item active for follow‑up work and directed staff to continue outreach and draft details for public consideration.
