Fremont County committee proposes 0.75% sales tax to fund ambulance, air service and transit; commissioners ask for numbers
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Summary
The Fremont County Association of Governments proposed a 0.75% economic development sales tax to fund ambulance service, commercial air service and ground public transportation. Committee members outlined an MOA and revenue split; commissioners requested detailed projections and raised questions about tribal inclusion and governance before deciding whether to put the measure on the ballot.
Vic Breyer, chairman of the Fremont County Association of Governments (FCAG), and committee members presented a draft resolution and memorandum of agreement to the Fremont County Board of County Commissioners proposing a three-quarter percent (0.75%) economic development sales tax to fund core services at risk in the county.
The proposal would dedicate proceeds to three buckets: ground ambulance service, commercial air service and ground public transportation (including senior centers and Head Start–eligible transit). Breyer said the ballot language is in the packet and described the plan as narrowly focused on those services rather than a general revenue measure.
Kyle Butterfield, a committee member, provided cost estimates during the presentation: “What we’re looking at for commercial air service is a total cost to receive that service in our county of over $10,000,000,” and he said revenues generated by the service would cover “a little over half of that.” Butterfield and other presenters said state support and matching arrangements reduce the local share but that the community must secure the remaining amount.
Committee materials estimate roughly $6.5 million in revenues generated by the 0.75% tax over the four-year model they presented. Under the draft memorandum of agreement, the committee discussed allocating approximately 54% of proceeds to ambulance (about $3,510,000 of the $6.5M estimate), 31% to commercial air service (about $2,015,000) and 15% to ground public transportation (about $975,000).
Butterfield summarized the finance model for commissioners: “As the model currently sits, 3 quarter percent covers the cost,” but he cautioned that ambulance costs were the biggest variable and that the model assumes conservative estimates and a stable payer mix.
Commissioners asked for supporting spreadsheets and more granular projections. The board chair requested the committee provide the numerical backups used to calculate the $6.5 million projection and the proposed splits so commissioners can evaluate whether the tax would leave a margin for inflation, future vehicle replacement costs and other contingencies.
Several commissioners raised governance and equity questions. Commissioner Thomas asked that tribal governments be included in the memorandum of agreement or consulted directly: “I was hoping the 2 tribes would be a part of this MOU,” noting the tribes’ voter populations and stake in county services. FCAG representatives replied that the draft MOA focused on entities that will receive funds (cities and county) because of how state sales tax distribution works, but they said additional signatories or advisory representation could be added and that they had met with tribal partners previously.
The committee emphasized the timing: the draft resolution needs to move through the county and municipal governing bodies before a late-March deadline to appear on the primary election ballot. FCAG asked the county to consider the resolution so voters can weigh in; commissioners agreed to review the MOA and supporting numbers and return to the item at their next meeting.
What’s next: FCAG will provide the commission with the underlying fiscal projections and the draft MOA language for further review; commissioners signaled they want additional detail on ambulance contract costs, replacement schedules and the potential role of an advisory board or joint powers agreement before deciding whether to endorse placing the measure on the ballot.
