Richland County weighs countywide EMS levy and multiple service models as ambulance fund runs deficit

Richland County officials, consultants and local emergency responders spent much of the May 5 county board meeting reviewing the finances and options for the county ambulance service and a possible countywide emergency medical services (EMS) levy that would exceed statutory levy limits.

The board heard a presentation from the county’s finance director and outside consultants showing that the ambulance fund is operating in the red. Finance Director Leanna Pick told supervisors the service owed roughly $297,000 to the county operating account and that auditors may increase the year‑end write‑off estimates, possibly flipping the ambulance fund balance negative after the 2025 audit. Year‑to‑date (Jan–Apr 2026) revenue of about $296,000 was contrasted with $423,000 in expenses, producing a roughly $127,000 deficit through April.

The financial picture was coupled with operational facts: Richland County EMS covers portions of multiple towns and the city of Richland Center and serves an estimated 10,000 residents in its service footprint. Call volumes reported in the packet were roughly 1,228 calls in 2023, 1,131 in 2024 and 1,386 in 2025; 2026 year‑to‑date calls were incomplete in the presentation.

Consultants and county counsel framed the legal options. County attorneys and outside advisers reviewed Wisconsin statutes that govern municipal responsibility for EMS — noting that towns have a statutory obligation under Wis. Stat.…