County, mayors and WRTA weigh funding options to bolster ambulance, air and ground transport

Fremont County commissioners on April 14 heard a preliminary plan to improve ambulance service delivery and discussed a proposed 3/4% sales tax to fund air service, ground transportation and ambulance coverage.

WRTA Director Tim Nichols and Chris Konija, chairman of the Regional Ambulance Service Evaluation Committee, presented a preliminary proposal to improve ambulance services and invited further evaluation and coordination. The presentation was informational; commissioners did not take a formal vote on the plan during the meeting.

Later in the session the board met with Lander Mayor Missy White, Shoshoni Mayor Joel Highsmith, Dubois Mayor Pat Neveaux and Riverton Mayor Tim Hancock to discuss a proposed 3/4% sales tax initiative intended to fund air service, ground transport and ambulance services across the region. The meeting focused on potential local funding mechanisms and regional coordination; no ordinance or ballot language was presented at the meeting.

County officials and the mayors discussed funding as one option to address capacity and coverage gaps raised earlier in the meeting in connection with ambulance and dispatch funding shortfalls. Commissioners described the conversation as preliminary; the board did not set a timeline or formal commitment to place a measure on a future ballot.

The discussion will likely feed into subsequent budget and policy work, including staff analysis of projected revenue, legal requirements for a local sales tax, and outreach with municipal partners. The board scheduled no formal follow-up in open session at the April 14 meeting.