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Elmore offers dynamic EMS-pricing proposal; Morristown board says $42,500 estimate falls short
Summary
At a Dec. 8 Morristown Select Board meeting, Elmore presented a two-part EMS pricing model — service (utilization) and capital (per capita) — and estimated about $42,500 for FY26–27. Board members said that number does not reflect Morristowns readiness costs and asked Elmore to return with a counterproposal before the towns budget deadline.
George Press of Elmore presented a two-part pricing proposal for continuing EMS support to Morristown, telling the board the model separates a service component tied to call volume from a capital component tied to per-capita shares. "The numbers move, and I'll round it. $42,500," Press said, describing the figure as a rough, dynamic estimate for FY26–27.
The proposal calls for a three-year rolling average of calls to determine the service share and a per-capita metric for capital contributions. Press illustrated the approach with an example that used Elmores historical call counts (24 average calls vs. Morristowns 904) to get a ~2.7% share and a service-component calculation of about $27,228, with a capital share around $15,000.
Select Board members pushed back on whether the sum would fairly cover Morristowns preparedness costs. Chair McNell noted a quick calculation dividing the towns operating budget across Morristown and Elmore populations produced "about $154 a person," which board members said implies a much larger fair share for Elmore than the $42,500 proposal. Multiple board members argued readiness — staffing two ambulances, maintaining response capacity year-round — is not just a per-call cost and should not be shifted nearly entirely onto Morristown taxpayers.
Board members and the Elmore delegation agreed neither side wanted rushed or unfair terms. An Elmore select-board representative urged Morristown to come back with a counterproposal and said Elmore would also consider revising its number; both sides acknowledged tight timing because Morristown needs a number for its own budget process within days. The board asked that town administration coordinate follow-up and suggested an executive session later in the week if needed.
What happens next: Elmore will return with revised numbers or a counterproposal; Morristown administration will coordinate the details and the Select Board emphasized the need for a timely number because of pending budget deadlines.
