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Fremont County backs Joint Powers Board, considers 3/4% sales tax to close $3.18M ambulance funding gap
Summary
After receiving a RASEC report, Fremont County commissioners voted to join a Joint Powers Board and discussed two ambulance-service models; the recommended near-term Model 2A shows a $3.18 million annual funding gap that proponents say a 3/4% sales tax could cover.
Fremont County commissioners on July 7 heard the RASEC Final Report and Cost Tool and voted unanimously to participate in a Joint Powers Board to pursue a regionalized ambulance service and funding strategy.
RASEC member Mick Pryor presented two models for county ambulance coverage. Pryor said Model 2A would station two ambulances in Riverton, one in Lander, one in the Fort Washakie area and one in Dubois, plus two additional ambulances dedicated to inter-hospital transfers. "The total operating cost for Model 2A is estimated at $6.68 million annually," Pryor said, adding that projected revenue under current call volumes and payer mix would be about $3.49 million, "leaving a funding gap of $3.18 million." The financial plan includes an annual capital reserve of $774,830 for equipment replacement.
Pryor described Model 2B as a longer-term vision that would add volunteer-staffed ambulance stations in Crowheart, Jeffrey City and Shoshone to push toward roughly 20-minute emergency response for 99% of call volume.
Pryor and others framed a 3/4% county sales tax as a likely revenue source to close the projected gap. The board approved a Memorandum of Agreement among the county and its cities and towns setting provisions for that sales-tax measure if it appears on the August 18, 2026 primary ballot.
Tim Nichols, identified in the meeting record as WRTA director and an FCAG member, clarified prior funding requests tied to transit and countywide service: "Public transit agencies are supported by a blended funding model combining federal, state, local, and contractual revenues," Nichols said, and he noted that "44.5% of riders have pickup or drop-off locations outside city boundaries," arguing countywide usage supports broader funding discussions.
Commissioner Jennifer Wilson made the motion that the county participate in a Joint Powers Board; Commissioner Ron Fabrizius seconded and the motion carried unanimously. The board also discussed re-licensing the county to hold a ground ambulance license as a condition of some grant opportunities, and noted that eligibility for a Rural Health Transformation Grant could contribute as much as $2 million per year under performance conditions including 24/7 regionalized service and response benchmarks.
Next steps: the county will participate in the Joint Powers Board process and proceed with intergovernmental agreements and planning for licensing and grant eligibility. The MOA provisions approved by the board set an administrative path for the potential August ballot measure; the ballot decision itself and final financing remain subject to further local approvals and the outcome of the August 18 vote.
