Columbus Rural Fire Board continues push for ambulance district creation

The Columbus Rural Fire Board says all it wants is the chance to present a proposal for a tax-supported ambulance district to the voters as soon as possible.
Its hope of getting that done this year flat-lined last Tuesday when the Stillwater County Commissioners declined to pass a resolution of intent that would have put a referendum creating an ambulance district on the ballot for a December mail election.
While all three commissioners said ALS service was important to keep, it would have been difficult for the Clerk & Recorder’s Office to run the mail ballot election immediately following the November federal election.
Just hours after that decision, Fire Chief Rich Cowger asked the commissioners through an email to work with the Clerk & Recorders Office to set the earliest possible date in 2017 for the election so it could proceed and to notify it of that date prior to Sept. 12.
The commissioners declined that request at this week’s agenda meeting.
Driven by the importance of the issue and a running clock, Cowger and the Columbus Rural Fire District Board remain committed to getting the issue to the voters.

HANGING IN THE BALANCE
Without taxpayer help, Advanced Life Support (ALS) services currently provided by two paramedics and two advanced EMTs at Columbus Fire Rescue stand a very real chance of going away. Those positions are currently funded through two different grants. One of those grants ends in March 2017, funds one position and Cowger has said he is “cautiously optimistic” it will be awarded to them again. However, the second grant that funds the three positions ends in November 2017.
Because it has already been awarded to Columbus Fire Rescue twice, Cowger said it is not likely it will be awarded a third time, as both grants are designed as short-term financial help to get positions up and going and then completely funded through the respective agency.

FUNDING CHOICES
In a series of emails between Commissioner Maureen Davey, Cowger, Columbus Rural Fire Board president Curt Robbins and Board member Debbie Parod exchanged last Tuesday, the issue of what kind of tax would be asked for and the importance of keeping the ball rolling were discussed.
“The ambulance district is a big step and I know you have been working hard. I would like to see it be similar to the Red Lodge creation and have an occupied residence fee instead of maybe the least populated area of the county paying by mills,” wrote Commissioner Davey to Cowger.
Cowger replied that the Board had looked into Red Lodge and learned that what works for that community is not necessarily the best fit for here.
“That is certainly an option. However as I’ve explained numerous times that may not be the most reasonable to you or your constituents,” according to the email.
The board had proposed – and says it will pursue – a mill levy with a maximum of 13.3 mills on all property. That would translate into $17.96 per year for a property with a market value of $100,000, $35.92 for a property with a market value of $200,000 and $52.38 for a property with a market value of $300,000.

TICKING CLOCK, CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY
Robbins addressed the issue of urgency, highlighting the time, effort and money lost when the Board initially sought to include Absarokee and Park City. That plan was scrapped when unexpected resistance surfaced and the Board began fresh from ground zero.
“Time was lost and now time is of the essence. We will shoulder partial blame for the urgency but more so on the board of commissioners to act favorably without further delays. We are determined to make this work but need everyone pulling in the same direction,” wrote Robbins in the email chain.
Robbins also addresses the need for the decision makers to set aside personal difference for the good of the people.
“At the end of the day everyone needs to ask themselves who they were elected by and what is in that taxpayers best interest. All personal feelings aside this district must be formed to insure the longevity and the quality service our county has come to expect. In addition to the fact that four people’s jobs are at stake. I am asking for all to help make this a reality as quickly as possible,” wrote Robbins.

COMMISSIONERS: NOT OUR JOB TO SET SPECIAL ELECTIONS
By Marlo Pronovost and Richard Hanners
The Stillwater County Commission declined at its Sept. 6 meeting to pick an election date next year for voters to decide on the creation of a new ambulance district, saying it was up to the Columbus Fire Rescue Chief Rich Cowger and the Columbus Rural Fire District Board.
“I’m not sure it’s our duty to set up elections for a special district,” Commissioner Maureen Davey said, noting that the commissioners devoted three days to work on the last proposal.
“The chief and the fire board should tell the Clerk & Recorder when they want an election, not us telling them,” Commissioner Gerald Dell said.
“We’ve never received a request in the past to set an election date,” Davey added.
At the Aug. 30 agenda meeting the commissioners turned down the Board’s request to hold a special election in December to create an ambulance district, citing tight deadlines between the federal election on Nov. 8 and the end of the year.
After last week’s decision, Cowger sent the commissioners the following email:
“I would like to ask that if possible between your office and the Clerk and Recorders Office that a date or dates for which a possible election can be held after the first of the year be researched. I would like to have this information before my next board of directors meeting so it can be presented to them. Please provide this information back to me in writing before the 12th of September.”
That question was answered at Tuesday morning’s agenda meeting.
Neither Cowger nor the Board were told the matter was on this week’s agenda.
When asked why those parties were not told, the News received the following email:
“It was noted on the agenda because of the email the Commission received from Chief Cowger on August 30. No decisions were made at the meeting. The agenda was posted for all to see.
-Stillwater Commission”