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Lincoln County commissioners reject plan to create North Lincoln EMS district, 2–1
Summary
After testimony from hospital and EMS officials about staffing and funding challenges, the Board of County Commissioners voted 2–1 against establishing a North Lincoln Emergency Medical Services district; supporters said the district would allow voters to consider a mill levy to sustain service.
Lincoln County commissioners voted 2–1 on May 19, 2026 to decline establishment of a North Lincoln Emergency Medical Services (EMS) district after hearing testimony from health officials and residents and debating whether commissioners should appoint the initial board.
Supporters urged the board to create the district as a necessary step to preserve ambulance service in northern Lincoln County. Mike Hunsaker said creating the district would allow the county to appoint a board to study options and, if the board recommended a mill levy, submit the question to voters. He described long-standing staffing shortages and said Star Valley Health had assumed ambulance operations under a regional agreement.
“Star Valley Health operates it at a loss of $2.5 million per year,” Hunsaker said, describing the financial strain of maintaining 24/7 coverage in a rural area with low call volumes. Eric Greene, mayor of Alpine, Trevor Merritt of Star Valley Health and Phil Jorgensen, a former Alpine EMS director, echoed concerns that without a new funding structure EMS coverage could erode.
Commissioners expressed reservations about creating a board by appointment rather than by election, and about the district’s viability if a mill levy failed. Chairman Kent Connelly and Commissioner Melvin Shumway both raised concerns that forming a board without strong public input could remove voters’ control; Commissioner Teri Bowers supported moving forward with the district.
When put to a vote, the measure to establish the North Lincoln EMS district failed 2–1 (Bowers yes; Shumway and Connelly no). The board then proceeded to approve routine vouchers and adjourned at 1:52 p.m.
Why it matters: Rural EMS services face funding and staffing challenges; an EMS district would create a governance and financing mechanism (including potential mill levies) that could sustain service but would also shift funding questions to local voters and possibly to county levies.
Next steps: No new district was established; proponents indicated the issue could return to future meetings or ballot discussions if supporters seek alternate timelines or structures.
