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Local groups and officials propose multiple plans to shore up Fremont County ambulance services
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Summary
Residents, fire officials and a ballot committee presented a mix of proposals — including a 0.5% countywide sales tax ballot measure and facility upgrades — to fund and expand ambulance services across Fremont County; commissioners heard the proposals but took no final vote on a tax measure.
Residents, volunteer fire officials and a local ballot committee outlined options to bolster emergency medical services (EMS) in Fremont County during the March 24, 2026 Board of Commissioners meeting.
At the public comment period, Ben Hines, speaking for the Wind River Reservation Emergency Services Fund, proposed building an ambulance barn at the Ward Road Fire Station in Fort Washakie to house local EMS vehicles and improve response capacity in that community. The proposal was presented as a facility-level option intended to support operations on the Wind River Reservation.
Later in the meeting, Brett Berg of Citizens Affirming Sensible Taxation (CAST) presented a countywide ballot proposal to fund ambulance services. Berg described a plan to pursue a 0.5% sales and use tax under Wyoming statute W.S. 39-15-203 to create a dedicated EMS funding stream; he told the board the group would prioritize sustainable EMS funding even if that required shifting priorities away from other transportation services. Commissioners heard the presentation but did not take a formal vote or place the measure on the ballot at this meeting.
Representatives from Dubois — Volunteer Fire Chief Mike Franchini and Assistant Fire Chief A.J. Albright — discussed their town’s request for an ambulance and described local needs for a permanently based emergency vehicle. Commissioner Larry Allen reviewed a draft county proposal to support establishment of a locally operated ambulance service for Dubois and nearby areas; the board did not finalize that draft during the session.
The meeting record shows these presentations and proposals were received and discussed but does not record a formal board decision to pursue any particular funding mechanism or ballot question. Commissioners recorded no vote to place the CAST proposal on a ballot, and no binding allocation of county funds for construction or sustained operating support was approved in this meeting.
Why this matters: Fremont County is largely rural, and presenters framed their proposals as responses to local gaps in EMS coverage and sustainability. Multiple pathways were discussed — facility investment in Fort Washakie, town-level ambulance operations in Dubois, and a countywide sales tax to create ongoing revenue — but the board requested further information and budget review before committing to a specific course.
Next steps: Proponents may seek to return with additional details, budget estimates and a formal ballot ordinance if they wish to pursue the sales-tax option. The commission’s minutes show no formal referral or deadline was established at the March 24 meeting.
Attribution: Meeting minutes and official motions summarized by the Fremont County Clerk; verbatim quotes were not included in the minutes.