Fremont County committee asks voters to consider 3/4% sales tax to shore up ambulance, air and transit funding

Vic Prior, chair of the Fremont County Association of Governments (FCAG) Committee on Funding Key Services, told the Board of County Commissioners that the committee seeks permission to place a three‑quarters‑of‑a‑percent economic development sales tax question on the August primary ballot so voters can decide whether to fund ambulance service, a commercial air‑service revenue guarantee and public ground transportation.

Why it matters: FCAG and its partners told commissioners the proposed tax is designed to replace or supplement property‑tax options and to provide a predictable revenue stream for services the committee calls “core” to the county. Presenters said the draft memorandum of agreement (MOA) would distribute estimated proceeds from a 3/4% tax — based on a conservative projection of roughly $6.5 million — with about $3.51 million (54%) for ambulance, $2.15 million (31%) for commercial air service guarantees, and $975,000 (15%) for ground public transportation such as WRTA and senior‑center transit programs.

FCAG representatives described the commercial air component as tied to an existing contract (SkyWest Airlines operating as United Express) and the city of Riverton’s memorandum of understanding with the Wyoming Department of Transportation aeronautics division. According to presenters, the community’s share of air‑service costs for fiscal year 2026 will be funded in part by the state (about 60% of the community subsidy), leaving the local match portion that the MOA would help secure through the ballot measure.

Commissioners and committee members discussed details and asked for supporting figures. A presenter summarized the current modeling: “As the model currently sits, 3/4% covers the cost,” and said FCAG will share the underlying spreadsheet and cost projections with the county. Commissioners pressed for clarity on ambulance costs — presenters said those estimates carry the most uncertainty and depend on ongoing negotiations (for example, volunteer staffing or service contracts) that could change future subsidy needs.

Several commissioners raised inclusion of tribal governments and tribal voters as an important political and policy consideration. FCAG representatives said the draft MOA is not final and that additional signatories or engagement with tribal governments could be added; they also proposed the creation or use of an advisory forum (FKAG was suggested as a vehicle) to ensure broad input on ambulance administration and other allocations.

Next steps: FCAG asked commissioners to take up the resolution and MOA at the board’s next meeting so the item can meet the county’s timeline for placement on the August primary ballot. Presenters said the ballot‑language draft and MOA are at mid‑draft stage and that the county and municipalities have until late March to complete formal approvals for ballot placement. FCAG committed to provide the detailed revenue model and contract cost breakdowns to commissioners before next week’s meeting.

Provenance: FCAG presentation and full discussion (transcript segments beginning SEG 865; discussion continues through SEG 1596).