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Council hears Star Valley Health EMS shortfall; potential municipal contributions would sharply increase town costs
Summary
Star Valley Health reported an annual EMS funding deficit of about $1.7 million; one discussed model would apportion contributions per capita (~$114 per person annually), which would translate to roughly $200,000 for Star Valley Ranch (population ~2,000), compared with the town’s current $33,000 ambulance contract; council requested EMS budget and transport data and heard a resident testify to the service’s importance.
At the June 9 work session, the Mayor briefed the council on an EMS funding shortfall reported by Star Valley Health of about $1.7 million per year. One previously discussed approach would ask municipalities and the county to contribute on a per-capita basis — described at roughly $114 per person annually — which for Star Valley Ranch (population described as about 2,000) would equal approximately $200,000 annually. Council members emphasized the need for full EMS budget detail and transport statistics before considering any commitment.
Councilman Merrill specifically asked staff for the EMS budget data and transport figures. A member of the public, Sandy Willis, provided testimony about how the EMS system had recently responded to her husband's fall and hip fracture, underscoring the local reliance on prompt emergency response.
The Mayor also reported the town's contract with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office expires at year-end; the sheriff had indicated no major changes were anticipated but suggested that any new town requests (for example, increased traffic enforcement) should be included prior to a new agreement. Council asked that the sheriff's contract be added to the next work-session agenda for further discussion and directed staff to provide a copy of the current agreement to Councilman Toolson.
