The required public hearing regarding a proposed tax district to fund Emergency Medical Services in Star Valley was held on Tuesday, March 17 during the regularly scheduled Lincoln County Commission meeting. Participants were able to attend in person at the Kemmerer Courthouse or remotely at the county offices in Afton. The process now goes to a 60-day public comment period after which it is expected commissioners will vote on the formation of the district in the May 19 commission meeting.

If the district is formed, a board of three to nine unpaid members, separate from and not managed by Star Valley Health, would be appointed by the Lincoln County Commission. It would then be up to the board to request, if they choose, that a mill levy be placed on the ballot in the General Election this November. Current statute allows for the board to ask for up to 4 mills.

A total of 14 community members attended the public meeting in Afton with a handful more in Kemmerer. Questions were asked regarding the structure of the board and its financial oversight. It was explained that the board would operate similar to other tax districts such as the Lincoln County Weed & Pest. It was also clarified that the current 3 mill that goes to Star Valley Health can be and is partially used to supplement EMS services, but is also used to support other hospital services that operate at a loss such as labor and delivery. If a district is created and if a mill levy is passed by voters, the funds would go directly to the tax district and not to Star Valley Health. However, the board could determine to use the funds to help Star Valley Health supplement the cost of providing EMS services. According to public comment from Star Valley Health’s COO Mike Hunsaker, the hospital is currently providing EMS services at a loss of $2.38 million annually.

Current members of EMS spoke in favor of the formation of a district, speaking to the increase of the quality of EMS services in recent years, including Critical Care and shortened response times. Two letters were received previously and were read by commissioners during the public hearing, both expressing opposition to the creation of the district.

The district was proposed by Star Valley Health on February 3 during a county commission meeting. After discussion over two days, Lincoln County Commissioners voted in favor of allowing the process of creating a district to move forward, including the public hearing and 60 day comment period. The commissioners chose not to enact a mill levy themselves, but rather leave it up to the tax district’s board and voters.

The boundaries of what would be known as the North Lincoln County Emergency Medical Services District follows the same boundaries as the current North Lincoln Hospital District, which includes all of Star Valley.

Currently in Wyoming, EMS is not considered an essential service, unlike police and fire departments, meaning that EMS does not receive state or county funding.

“Star Valley Health has operated EMS because it was the right thing to do,” said Dan Ordyna, CEO of Star Valley Health, in a released statement. “For several years EMS services were significantly struggling in the valley with staffing and response times. When EMS needed a partner five years ago, we stepped up. Although EMS is in a much more stable position today, the partnership with the towns and county has become unsustainable due to the immense pressures on our rural healthcare system and town and county budgets. Thankfully this is an opportunity to secure the future of our EMS services by creating an independent EMS district.”

The public comment period is now open for a minimum of 60 days after which the Lincoln County Commission will vote on the creation or denial of the district. If created, the district will not have a mill levy attached unless such a tax is approved by voters in the General Election this November.