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Richland County panel approves forwarding plan to create ad hoc committee to support EMS district formation
Summary
The Public Safety Standing Committee voted July 10 to forward a proposal that would create a five-member ad hoc county-board committee to help municipalities form an EMS district, including a timeline of outreach meetings, draft resolutions and limited county legal support.
A Richland County Public Safety Standing Committee on July 10 approved forwarding a staff proposal to create an ad hoc committee to assist municipalities in forming an emergency medical services (EMS) district.
The plan, presented by the committee chair, recommended five county board supervisors — excluding those who also serve as township supervisors — be appointed by the committee on committees to lead outreach and early organization. “The suggestion I have is creating a 5 county board supervisors as appointed by committee on committees,” the chair said while outlining the proposal.
Under the recommended three-phase approach, the ad hoc committee would: engage municipalities with letters and town-hall listening sessions; make presentations at town and village board meetings upon request; gather lists of interested municipalities; and help assemble a township/municipality steering committee that would take the lead in forming the district. The staff timeline calls for two county-hosted meetings in August 2026, town and village presentations in September–October, a submission deadline of Oct. 16 for municipalities to state interest, and a November 2026 steering-committee kickoff.
Committee members discussed county roles the ad hoc group could provide, including limited legal assistance and research support. One member urged preparing talking points and a chair-signed letter for consistent messaging to municipalities. Staff noted sample resources — including an EMS Association guidance document and recent local district examples — would be offered to guide the process.
Supervisor Welty moved the committee's recommendation forward, seconded from the floor; the committee approved the motion by voice vote and directed the item to Executive & Finance for consideration. The action was procedural: the county would not itself create a district for municipalities but would provide liaison support while the steering committee and participating municipalities determine structure and transfers of services, assets or funding.
Next steps identified in the presentation included drafting a letter for the county board chair to send to municipalities, preparing talking points for county supervisors, developing a draft resolution municipalities could reuse, scheduling town-hall events, and forming the ad hoc committee in August so its first meetings could begin outreach later that month. The committee also asked staff to research and propose the scope of limited county legal assistance the steering committee might receive.
The measure moves next to Executive & Finance; committee members said they would present the slideshow and supporting materials there and work on timing for the chair's letter.
