Funding the future of EMS — Crook County urged to look for ways to maintain service as financial options dwindle
SUNDANCE —-If citizens consider emergency medical services essential, it’s time to find a better way to fund it, according to the county’s ambulance services.
This could mean the formation of a special district to distribute the proceeds of two mills among the EMS crews that service Sundance, Hulett, Moorcroft and Pine Haven.
“EMS services are not listed as essential services in the State of Wyoming, meaning there is no funding responsibility for any entity to provide any ambulance services, unlike other services like law enforcement and fire protection,” Brad McKee told the county commissioners last week.
McKee is a Moorcroft EMS Paramedic and co-owner of K.A.R.E., the common name for the
Crook County Medical Services District, which provides ambulance services to the county.
“I’d like to start a conversation and try to find a way to help ensure our county’s agencies have the financial support they need to continue,” said McKee. “In my opinion, EMS is going to need more help to continue to operate at the same level as currently, let alone improve its services.”
McKee, who helps to manage Moorcroft’s volunteer EMS, told the commission that he has worked in EMS for 20 years and currently runs a small business as an EMS contractor.
He was joined by representatives from around the county, including Jason Perry from Hulett and Micki Lyons and Anthony Vopat from Sundance. Dusty Downey of Pine Haven was unable to attend but has been in communication with the group, he said.
“I understand this is a horrible time to be asking for financial support or ideas to try and improve funding, but with the reduction in volunteerism, the decrease in reimbursement rates and the reduction in funding sources with at least the Town of Moorcroft’s upcoming general budget being dropped, I do believe it’s going to become increasingly difficult to operate without finding another source of funding,” McKee said.
McKee said he fears that if the county is not proactive in finding a way to take care of itself, there will come a day when a local ambulance is not able to respond and a person in medical crisis is left to rely on an ambulance from further away that may or may not be able to help.
Other communities have found ways to shore up their services, he said.
For example, Kaycee Ambulance is one of “the best volunteer services in the state” and is funded through the Johnson County Rural Healthcare District, which means it is able to pay its volunteers more.
“In my mind, one of the first questions that needs to be asked of Crook County voters: do they consider ambulance service essential?” he said. “Meaning, if they call 911, do they expect an ambulance to show up, and how quickly do they show up?”
McKee said he would understand if it’s not something citizens consider essential – it’s common not to think of an ambulance that way until you need one.
However, even if people are happy with the current level of service, he believes an alternative funding solution is needed.
“If citizens do feel these are services essential, in my mind the next question is: what is the fairest and best way to attempt to fund it, or at least supplement current funding sources?” he asked.
McKee put forth an option that was provided by the Wyoming State Legislature in 2023: formation of an EMS special taxing district.
“So far, no county has put this through to its voters, but there are counties that are currently working on this to see if it is a potential option for funding,” he said.
McKee said he understands the concerns of those whose property tax bills are high, as well as the fairness factor of property tax not applying to anyone who doesn’t own property.
As for other options, he said, some places use increased DUI and speeding fines for EMS funding.
“I don’t think anyone has found a good answer to this problem. I believe it is a problem that should be best solved on a local level,” he said. “I don’t like the idea of asking for increasing taxes, [but] I especially don’t like the idea of relying on state legislators to help us out.”
McKee told the commission that he sits in on the governor’s EMS advisory board.
“I have heard it said that there are state legislators who feel that until local governments use the tools at their disposal, they don’t want to hear any more about how EMS is struggling,” he said, adding that he feels this refers to the special taxing districts.
“Even if we’re unable to use this as an option, if we can at least discuss it then we can go back to them and say we tried and it didn’t work out,” he said. “As a citizen, I do believe in lowering taxes and reducing the size of our government. However, I believe that, if done properly, these potential taxes or other sources of income could make a huge positive impact on EMS in this county and, as a citizen, I absolutely view EMS as an essential service and I hope that when I call 911, an ambulance can respond.”
While the services do try to recoup their costs wherever possible, McKee said, it can be difficult to do so when more than half of users are self-pay rather than using insurance.
According to Perry, one of the biggest issues facing Hulett’s service is international tourists at Devils Tower, who can be almost impossible to bill.
Commissioner Fred Devish commented, “I’m sure we all face the same concerns,” and asked the other EMS representatives in attendance for their views.
Perry stated that he is for a permanent funding stream and would like to have that conversation.
Though Downey was not in attendance, he had provided his views to be shared. Though wary of taxes and of the opinion Pine Haven’s service is doing well, he is in favor of having a discussion.
County Attorney Joe Baron stated that the county commissioners have the authority to enact an improvement district for emergency medical services and approve the collection of up to two mills. An additional two mills can then be approved by public vote.
“Everyone benefits from it and everyone is burdened by it,” Baron said.
The board controlling the district would be responsible for making decisions regarding how the mill revenue is distributed, said Baron — how it is split between the volunteer services in most of the municipalities and the paid service in Sundance, for example.
To receive money, McKee said, he believes that an entity must meet certain criteria, such as to have a functional ambulance. This would allow departments to retain their own equipment, though new items could be purchased under the board.
Commissioner John D. Davis stated that he would like to see some numbers on budget to look more closely at the question, while Commissioner Bob Latham said he is “up for any discussions on how to support EMS.”
“You guys are very important to this county and I don’t want to see any of you go away,” he said.
The vision, said McKee, is a sustainable system in which volunteers are paid for every run.
Baron suggested that the towns that run their services need to be involved in these discussions.
McKee confirmed that the EMS directors in each community will compile the numbers needed as a group, which will allow the conversation to continue.
This story was published on April 10, 2025.