Millville City council votes to join Cache Countyvoucher plan as fire rates rise

Millville City Council voted April 9 to participate in Cache County to a countywide voucher program intended to address what county officials described as "double taxation" for fire and EMS services.

Councilmember Jacob Ames, who reviewed the county proposal, said the voucher plan would let cities retain operational control of local fire and EMS services while receiving the portion of a county fire mill levy collected from their jurisdiction. Ames told the council Millvillefaces uncertainty after Hyrum City told contract cities it plans to raise its per-person charge dramatically; the attached staff memo reported a projected hike to roughly $40 per person for FY27.

"The voucher option preserves local control and resolves the double-taxation issue by returning funds to cities to pay for local fire and EMS," Ames said.

After discussion of unknowns and timing, Councilmember Jeremy Ward moved that Millville join the voucher program and recommend a voucher rate of 0.00060; Councilmember Jacob Ames seconded. Councilmembers Ames, Ward, June, Ripplinger and Zollinger voted yes.

The voucher approach outlined by Cache County would place a single baseline fire district levy on property tax notices, collect the proceeds at the county level and issue vouchers back to participating cities for 100% of the amount collected from each city; the funds would be restricted to fire/EMS operations or capital. County materials attached to the city meeting packet describe the plan as a way to avoid centralizing operational control and to allow each city to decide how to spend its voucher funds.

City staff said several details remain to be finalized, including whether the county levy would require Truth in Taxation procedures, the schedule of collections and distributions, and whether participating cities will need interlocal agreements spelling out voucher uses. Councilmembers noted that joining the voucher program does not force Millville to change how it procures services: the city may continue contracting with Hyrum or other providers or use voucher funds for local options.

Next steps: Mayor David Hair and staff will follow county communications on levy adoption and voucher mechanics; councilmembers said they expect more budget details at upcoming meetings before any contract decisions are finalized.