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Richland County committee approves $35,000 ambulance service study; aims to weigh third-party options
Summary
The Richland County Executive Finance Committee voted to contract Strategic Management & Consulting for a $35,000 countywide ambulance service study funded from contingency, aiming to produce recommendations in time to pursue an innovation grant; the vote was by voice and details for roll-call tallies were not recorded.
The Richland County Executive Finance Standing Committee voted to hire Strategic Management & Consulting to conduct a countywide ambulance service study at an estimated cost of $35,000, the committee decided during its January meeting.
County staff presented three proposals and recommended Strategic Management & Consulting, citing the firm's timeline and willingness to provide a recommendation rather than only presenting options. "My recommendation is that we go with Strategic Management and Consulting for this study," staff said during the meeting. The committee discussed alternatives, including Innovative Public Advisors and the Wisconsin Policy Forum, and debated how quickly the work should be completed to preserve eligibility for a potential innovation grant.
Supporters said a timely study would allow the county to plan budget changes and pursue grant funding if the study recommended transitioning services. One supervisor argued the study should not be rushed; another said it was important to begin now so any budget impacts could be anticipated well before 2027. "I disagree with kicking it down the road," a supervisor said, urging the county to move forward.
The committee also discussed scope questions, including whether consultants would evaluate third-party vendor operations, district models, continued county operation, and funding mechanisms. Staff said the selected consultant would examine countywide coverage, municipal services and funding options and could provide information about funding mechanisms and potential cost implications, though there are no guarantees that grant funding would be available.
A motion to approve contracting Strategic Management & Consulting and to fund the work from contingency carried on a voice vote; the committee did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript. The motion was seconded and passed. Meeting minutes should list the formal motion and the source of the contingency appropriation for the full county board to act on when the item moves forward.
Next steps: staff will finalize the contract and scope with the consultant and report progress to the committee; the study timeline discussed during the meeting aimed for recommendations by March, which staff said would preserve a chance to apply for an innovation grant.
