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Council discusses a short-term EMS LIT to shore up emergency services funding
Summary
Council members debated creating a one-year EMS local option (LIT) at workshop; staff and members said a 0.2 percentage-point proposal (described in the transcript as "20 on every $100") could fund a dedicated EMS account and reduce general-fund transfers, but formal hearings and detailed impact analysis were requested.
Council members discussed structuring an EMS-focused LIT to fund ambulance replacement, EMS base repairs and recurring emergency-services costs. Staff said the county previously reorganized accounts to prepare for a stand-alone EMS LIT and that passing a targeted LIT would allow the county to stop using general-fund appropriations for EMS in the year it took effect.
"If we pass the EMS LIT, let's say point 2% ' 20 on every $100, it would fund that EMS account without making the appropriation of the general fund," the chair explained while describing how a targeted LIT would bridge the EMS account shortfall. Council members raised affordability questions and noted that an EMS-only change would be a one-year item under the current statutory framework; the chair and staff said more detailed revenue and household-impact calculations are necessary before scheduling any public hearing or vote.
Members also emphasized operational needs: ambulance replacement costs were cited (ambulances cost about $450,000 to replace in staff comments), plus two EMS bases that need repair or replacement. Council asked staff to provide more granular projections and to identify which EMS capital and operating needs would be covered by an LIT at specified rates.
