Richland County board approves measure to explore countywide EMS funding after public warnings about privatization

The Richland County Board of Supervisors voted May 19 to approve a resolution authorizing the county to explore creating a countywide emergency medical services (EMS) system and to levy outside the statutory levy limits beginning in 2027, while directing the county administrator to design a fair distribution of funds based on equalized property value.

Supporters and local EMS workers urged the board to act, warning that relying on third‑party vendors could degrade response times and local relationships. "Keeping ambulance services public means keeping care rooted in the community," Aubrey Demetell, a paid‑on‑call EMT and sheriff's department dispatcher, told the board. Rachel Ward, an advanced EMT speaking virtually from the ambulance station, said, "Which one of you is comfortable waiting an hour for an ambulance?" and urged supervisors to consider vulnerable residents who depend on prompt 911 responses.

Opponents and municipal leaders said they feared a countywide tax could unfairly burden towns already funding their own services. "I respectfully object to the proposed countywide tax increase intended to fund a unified EMS system when the primary justification appears to be the lack of affordability faced by municipalities served by a single EMS provider," said Floyd Barto, chair of the town of Buena Vista, and asked that municipalities and all EMS providers have a seat at the table.

County staff and board members repeatedly clarified that the resolution does not select a provider. "This resolution here does not mean that we are going with a specific third party," the chair said during debate. County Administrator Clements told the board they have not yet chosen a delivery model or a dollar figure and that the next step is to meet with towns, villages and the city to develop options and a funding calculation.

Board debate included an amendment to require that the administrator create a distribution of levy funds "based on equalized property value;" that amendment was moved and carried, and supervisors voted to approve the amended resolution. One supervisor recorded a "nay" during the final vote; the chair announced the resolution passed.

What the resolution does and what happens next

- The resolution authorizes the county to explore levying outside the levy limit beginning in 2027 to fund countywide EMS and directs the administrator to propose a fair distribution method based on equalized property value. It does not mandate that the county itself operate EMS nor name any provider. - Administrators will meet with municipal leaders and ambulance services as they develop options and estimate tax impacts; the board has not set a dollar amount for the levy.

Why residents and EMS workers spoke

Multiple speakers said local volunteers and paid‑on‑call crews know the roads, communities and recurring patients in ways they say a distant private vendor cannot replicate. "Public EMS providers are built around the people," Aubrey Demetell said. Several commenters referenced RFPs and low bids for service (one speaker cited a $212,000 low bid) and questioned whether a third‑party vendor could cover community events, mutual‑aid duties and 24/7 emergency response without undermining neighboring services.

Board reaction and timeline

Supervisors said the authority granted by the resolution is the first procedural step toward a long process that will include meetings, studies and budget projections. The administrator is expected to return with a proposal showing distribution options, outreach to municipalities, and estimated tax impacts. The resolution takes effect upon passage and publication.

The board adopted the measure after public comment and discussion; further outreach and modeling by county staff were described as the immediate follow‑up steps.