Taylor Town Council approves land sale, renews insurance pool and asks staff to seek ambulance rate increase

Taylor Town Council on April 3 approved several measures affecting town finances and services, including accepting a $665,000 offer for roughly 3.52 acres of town-owned land in the Belly Button area, authorizing staff to pursue a general ambulance-rate increase for the Taylor Snowflake Fire Department and renewing the town’s membership in its health-insurance pool for three years.

Mayor Shawn Palmer called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. and the council moved swiftly through routine business before addressing the substantive items. Town Manager Gus Lundberg told the council that the town received a single offer from California Gold Development Corporation for $665,000 to buy approximately 3.52 acres of parcel 202-23-101C; the town posted the required public notice and council voted to accept the offer and directed staff to split the parcel and prepare a purchase agreement.

Manager Lundberg also reviewed an earlier property action: the town previously approved purchase of 17.5 acres in Belly Button with an initial installment of $750,000 and a second payment due July 1, and the council approved a resolution (2025-05) authorizing the manager to close and execute the purchase-related documents.

On emergency services funding, Fire Chief Willie Nelson told the council that ambulance rates are set by the Arizona Department of Health Services, that the department has not sought a general increase in six to seven years and that increasing call volume and equipment costs have pushed the department to request a review. Nelson said a consultant from the James Vincent Group compared local rates and found Taylor’s fees were considerably lower than nearby providers such as Timber Mesa and Heber. Council Member Bill Baldwin moved to authorize staff to seek a general fee increase for ambulance services for the Taylor Snowflake Fire Department; Council Member Sherry Cosper Duke seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Manager Lundberg recommended renewing the town’s membership in its health-insurance pool, which he described as spreading high-claim risk among about 20–22 groups, and recommended a three-year renewal. Council Member April Williams moved to accept Resolution 2025-04 to renew the town’s health-insurance pool membership for three years; Council Member Sherry Cosper Duke seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The council approved the consent agenda — including the March 6, 2025 meeting minutes and the March 2025 check register — on a motion by Council Member Chris Neff, seconded by Vice Mayor Bill Baldwin, which passed unanimously.

The council directed staff to split the parcel at issue and draft a purchase agreement for the buyer; the item will proceed to the next meeting with the drafted agreement. There were no recorded dissents on any of the votes. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.