Commissioners hear detailed EMS briefing as local leaders weigh ambulance district and ballot measure

Jefferson County commissioners on Wednesday heard a lengthy briefing from local EMS and fire representatives about the fledgling county ambulance operation and the fiscal and operational choices ahead.

Roger (identified in the record by given name) and Fire Chief Carl Anderson told commissioners the service has averaged roughly $40,000–$42,000 in monthly billings since it began operations in October but has collected a substantially smaller share of those receipts for earlier months. Roger told the board the service expects first-year billed revenue between about $180,000 and $250,000 depending on collections and payer mix. “If we get to 50% on those earlier months, we’ll be backlogged,” Roger said during the presentation.

Speakers described current staffing and equipment: two older ambulances and one newer vehicle in the fleet, two full-time staff on duty daily with supplemental paid volunteers, and plans to add another daytime position to improve coverage. Commissioners and responders identified a path to move from a basic life support (BLS) service toward advanced life support (ALS), but noted the higher cost implications.

Roger and Chief Anderson discussed long-term funding options, including forming an ambulance district to appear on the November ballot. Roger said organizers had been told 50 petition signatures are required to file the district question and that approval would require a supermajority vote. “I would propose that this year, we could put on the ballot that we’re in an ambulance district,” Roger said. Commissioners asked staff to develop a paper showing current county and fire-district spending on EMS so voters can compare existing subsidies and expected costs.

Commissioners and presenters discussed the factors voters would need to consider: the roughly $600,000–$700,000 annual cost estimate cited by presenters to man a single ambulance 24/7 (personnel only), the potential for billing to offset some operating costs if collection rates improve, and the interdependence of Jefferson County with nearby services such as Idaho Falls. Presenters stressed that demonstrating the service’s operating numbers and collection percentage before seeking a vote would be essential to voter education.

Next steps recorded in the meeting: commissioners asked EMS and county staff to compile detailed cost and revenue numbers, hold at least one public evening meeting to explain options to voters, and return to the commission with a proposal and timetable that could meet ballot deadlines for November.