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Algoma agrees to pay up to $4,077.50 toward countywide EMS study amid staffing concerns
Summary
After hearing reports of recurring EMS coverage gaps countywide, the committee approved a motion for Algoma to budget up to $4,077.50 as the city's maximum share toward a proposed $50,000 countywide EMS feasibility study, contingent on participation by other municipalities and the county.
The Finance & Personnel Committee voted to approve Algoma's contribution of up to $4,077.50 toward a proposed $50,000 countywide EMS services study designed to assess staffing, coverage and sustainability options.
Presenter (speaker 6) summarized recent county meetings about EMS staffing challenges and said the county asked municipalities to split a $25,000 share while the county would earmark $25,000 in its 2026 budget. One allocation option discussed at the county-level would spread the local share across all municipalities at roughly $1.25 per county resident, which would make Algoma's portion about $4,077.50 based on the city's population figure cited in the meeting. The presenter said Algoma could commit up to $4,077.50 and would not pay more if other towns declined to participate.
Fire/EMS directors and chiefs present described instances of temporary loss of coverage (for example, two Saturday evening gaps in neighboring jurisdictions that briefly left the county without a transporting ambulance) and emphasized that staffing, not simply funding, is the core challenge. Directors also noted previous feasibility studies in other counties offered multiple options, including moving to a medic or full-time service in some cases.
Committee members asked whether the county would still produce a useful countywide study if some municipalities did not participate; the presenter said a study of countywide services would proceed but local access to some data could be limited if jurisdictions opted out. Wayne Schmidt (presenter, speaker 6) moved to budget up to $4,077.50 as Algoma's maximum contribution; the motion was seconded and approved by roll call (7-0).
Why it matters: the study could produce options for longer-term EMS sustainability in the region, but its usefulness depends on participation and data-sharing by multiple jurisdictions. Algoma's approved contribution is described as a maximum and contingent on the county process and participation by other towns.
Next steps: if the county and other municipalities provide the remaining funds and contract for the study, staff will share the study results with the council and the public for follow-up decisions.
