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Residents call for EMS data collection and revised fee rules as county weighs STR impacts
Summary
Public commenters urged the county to collect basic resident vs. nonresident data for emergency medical services to quantify STR impacts and suggested usage fees or lodging taxes to offset EMS costs; volunteers flagged a 'no-transport, no-fee' billing gap.
Multiple public commenters used the meeting to press the county to collect clearer EMS data and to address funding shortfalls in emergency response. Matthew Nelson told commissioners that "in the absence of any empirical data to suggest that short term renters are creating an undue burden on emergency services," policy should not be made on assumptions. He warned that 911 and EMS call records do not currently distinguish STRs, day hikers or long-term visitors.
A resident and volunteer with Divide Fire (Mr. Oster) suggested feasible next steps: add a simple resident/nonresident field to EMS records and collect categories (STR, hotel, day-hiker) to inform policy, and revise fee structures so agencies recover costs when professional response does not result in transport. "Are you a resident or not? If you're not, what category of nonresident are you, including STRs, hotel, etcetera?" he asked.
Why it matters: Commissioners and staff acknowledged funding gaps for EMS, citing Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement shortfalls and local reliance on property and sales-tax funding for emergency services. Commenters proposed exploring lodging-tax options for STRs, usage fees for trails/parks, and improved billing practices to ensure nonresident users contribute to service costs.
Next steps: The board did not direct immediate policy changes at the meeting but indicated these are topics for future county/staff work and possible coordination through CCI.
