Mayors ponder creation of EMS district

Like many volunteer-driven efforts, fire and ambulance services that depend on donated labor have seen participation drop in recent years. Local leaders are considering an alternative model: creating a special taxing district to fund ambulance and emergency medical services, subject to approval by voters.

The discussion is not yet a formal proposal, but the Regional Board of Mayors invites interested residents to learn more at a public town hall meeting Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. in the ballroom at Coulee Dam Town Hall. 

Grand Coulee Fire Chief Ryan Fish will be the main presenter. His talk will cover state laws and requirements around the formation of EMS districts and property tax levies for these services.

The meeting represents a scaled-back version of the “whole community town hall” concept that was championed by former Grand Coulee Mayor Mike Eylar and supported by the other mayors on the regional board. It may be the first of many such meetings designed to increase collaboration among the four incorporated towns that make up the greater Grand Coulee Dam area.

Previous plans for the town hall event included a moderated Q&A session on several topics, and encouraged council members from all four towns to attend — a way to hear from the broader community in a setting not defined by individual municipal jurisdictions. It is unclear which elected officials will attend on Nov. 6 or how much time will be devoted to Q&A. The agenda was set at the October Regional Board of Mayors meeting.