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Willard council discusses rooftop emergency-services fee to fund ambulance and new police officer
Summary
Council members reviewed a draft FY budget that includes a $176,000 startup for a new ambulance service, about $153,000 in annual operating costs, and considered a per-household "rooftop" emergency-services fee (staff estimates $20–$22/month; a $15/month proposal was discussed) with county contribution and a rate study to follow.
Willard City Council members spent their budget meeting weighing how to pay for a planned city-operated ambulance service and an additional police officer, with staff saying startup costs would be roughly $176,000 and annual operating expenses about $153,000.
The staff presenter (Speaker 4) said the capital projects fund held about $1,100,000 and the city’s unrestricted fund balance was roughly $513,000 (about 23% of revenues) as of March 31. The presentation noted the city would lose a roughly $215,000 pass-through mass-transit tax line item, and that about $475,000 in road- and Class C–funded revenue is proposed for the 600 South reconstruction project.
Council and staff focused on two financing options: a property-tax increase subject to truth-in-taxation or a dedicated emergency-services fee billed to residences (often called a rooftop fee). Speaker 1 said the rooftop approach used by other cities can be more palatable for residents and proposed an initial $15-per-household monthly fee as a starting point. Staff cautioned that updated calculations put the FY26 revenue need for ambulance startup and a professional rate study at about $186,300, which would translate to roughly $20–$22 per household per month based on the council’s estimate of about 700 households.
Staff also recommended a small, professional rate study (estimated $6,000–$10,000) to validate the fee level and advised the council that the state law gives flexibility about how such a fee can be billed (annual, semiannual, monthly or per call). Council members discussed billing mechanics for nonresident rooftops in the county and whether the county could contribute a rooftop stipend; Speaker 1 said the council will ask the county commission to consider contributing to costs for areas the county currently receives emergency service from Willard.
On operational details, Speaker 4 outlined ambulance staffing costs as about $83,000 in wages plus $6,400 in Social Security/Medicare for the initial staffing line item; the capital outlay line includes roughly $75,000 for building/equipment and additional vehicle replacement planning. Implementation timing discussed during the meeting anticipated service startup no earlier than July 2026 if the council proceeds and secures the necessary revenue sources and county coordination.
Council members repeatedly flagged the need for transparent public education around any tax or fee choice, and several members suggested phasing fees in and using general-fund support short term while working toward a fee-based model. There was no formal vote recorded in the transcript segments provided.
Next steps noted during the session: staff will pursue a rate study, refine fee and collection mechanics (including whether to bill via water bills or another billing stream), clarify what county contributions might look like, and return with recommended ordinance language and final FY26 figures for council consideration.
