Commissioners say Frontier Ambulance fee hike could create $200,000 dispatch shortfall

Fremont County commissioners were warned at their meeting that the county's dispatch fund may be facing a large shortfall after the sheriff's office notified Frontier Ambulance of an annual dispatch fee increase. Chair (speaker 2) told the board the sheriff's office received notice that dispatch fees would rise "from 234,500 to 415,174," and county analysis projects roughly a $200,000 gap for the current year.

The chair asked that the sheriff attend an upcoming budget hearing to explain options and that staff review how the county's contract with Frontier allows or limits fee increases. "We need to get an understanding from the sheriff how they wanna handle this," the chair said, adding that next year's budget will need to account for higher contract costs. Commissioners raised questions about whether the dispatch fund has been drawing from the general fund and about equitable cost allocation among partner jurisdictions. The board scheduled a roundtable with the sheriff and finance staff for a follow‑up at the next meeting.