Emery County Travel Bureau ratifies 2026 budget; board discusses $25,000 for EMS retention in Green River

At its Oct. 14, 2025 meeting the Emery County Travel Bureau ratified the proposed 2026 budget and discussed a proposed $25,000 allocation intended to support EMS retention in Green River.

Staff introduced a recommendation to place $25,000 with the district under an agreement that would encourage the funds to be used specifically for retention or incentives for EMS personnel based in Green River. Supporters said Green River produces a large share of the county’s TRT revenue and that the payment could help maintain local coverage; others questioned whether routing the entire sum to one place would disadvantage west‑side garages (Castle Dale, Orangeville, Huntington) that also face retention problems.

Board members reviewed the background: prior stipends had been used to encourage coverage in Green River, and district staffing dynamics had changed; members discussed establishing guidelines in any agreement so the county could ask for documentation that the funds supported local retention or on‑call coverage. Staff noted legal limits — the money would be an allocation to the district and the board could provide guidance but not direct every use.

On a separate line‑item matter, staff reported that the 2026 budget as submitted added $100,000 to a special‑projects line (to allow flexibility for one‑time community projects) and that some advertising/grant revenue projections had declined, reducing the general advertising budget.

A motion to approve/ratify the proposed budget as presented was made and seconded; roll call recorded multiple 'aye' votes and the motion passed. Board members urged coordination with county commissioners and the auditor’s office for any midyear requests to draw surplus funds for discrete projects.

What happens next: staff will forward the ratified budget to the clerk/auditor for formal processing and will draft the proposed district agreement language for the $25,000 EMS allocation so county attorneys and the ambulance district can review terms.

Quotes from the meeting: "I'd like to see the 25,000 have an agreement with the county with the district that it would be a retention or EMS in Green River," — board member (proposal reading) "We may need this to lean on as budgets get tighter," — board member

Ending: The ratified budget will move forward for clerk/auditor processing; staff will prepare draft agreement language for the EMS allocation and share it with legal counsel for review before any funds move to the district.