Weiser Ambulance District director says levy needed to stabilize service as revenues lag

Alan Foster, director of the Weiser Ambulance District, told the Washington County commissioners on Feb. 17 that the district needs a voter levy to stabilize operations after ambulance fee collections fell short of budgeted expectations. Foster said reduced transfer work and the absence of consistent paramedic coverage have constrained the district’s ability to bill higher Advanced Life Support rates and mileage, cutting revenue.

Claudia Licht, the ambulance district administrative assistant, reviewed the district’s Budget vs. Actual for Oct. 1–Dec. 31, 2025, and told commissioners the ambulance fee income line item ‘‘should be $125,000’’ for the period but that the three‑month actual was about ‘‘$95,000.’’ She also noted a $40,000 MSAVE grant that temporarily increased receipts and cautioned that a budgeted $134,000 of other income expected from grants has not materialized.

Foster described two revenue impacts: loss of transfer work (which historically brought higher, guaranteed income) and the current inability to staff paramedics around the clock, which prevents billing at ALS rates. ‘‘It’s just another verification or validation that we absolutely have to have this levy to stabilize this,’’ Foster said, arguing the levy would create reserves and steady operations rather than expand services.

The board approved several ambulance‑district actions during the session: Order No. 26‑19 for payroll expenses ($21,566.51) and Order No. 26‑20 for general expenses ($6,105.20) were approved. Commissioners also approved an engagement letter for Skinner Fawcett LLP to serve as special election counsel so legal work on the levy can proceed within required timeframes.

Commissioners and staff debated whether the levy should be temporary (a two‑year levy requiring a simple majority) or permanent (requiring a 66% supermajority). Commissioners noted earlier guidance favoring a temporary levy because it is easier to pass by voters; Foster and staff said election messaging and consultant work are on hold until the board confirms the levy’s permanence. Licht estimated the administrative and outreach costs in the campaign process could be on the order of tens of thousands of dollars (she referenced an earlier estimate of roughly $50,000 for staff time, lawyer and consultant fees, and advertising).

Officials also discussed naming and branding: the district uses ‘‘Weiser Ambulance District’’ publicly but historically has operated as Washington County Paramedics. Staff cautioned that a wholesale renaming (new vehicle markings, uniforms, website and email changes) would be costly and should be phased if undertaken. Commissioners asked staff to clarify contingency plans if the ambulance district were to fail financially and whether the county would be required by statute to provide emergency transport services; staff agreed to bring contingency planning and further clarifications back to the board for future agenda consideration.

Foster said he would return to the board with additional information and that the district will proceed on the temporary levy path unless the commissioners instruct otherwise.