Jefferson County EMS Discussion (9-17-2026)

Jefferson County, Wisconsin, held a public discussion on county support for municipal EMS providers on September 17, 2026. The presentation reviewed the EMS working group’s unanimous recommendations, including using the countywide EMS levy-limit exemption to provide meaningful supplemental funding to local EMS agencies. The group recommended a 0.25-mill levy, reduced from its initial 0.5-mill request, with a proposed distribution based on service-area population, property value, and area. The presentation estimated a total of about $3.185 million using 2025 figures and described an estimated annual property-tax increase of about $93 for an average county home, or about $100 for a $400,000 home. Funding could support staffing and other defined EMS needs, with local agencies retaining operational autonomy.

No levy or funding decision was voted on at this meeting. The proposed levy was not included in the 2027 budget proposal; the county board could consider it through a later policy and budget amendment. Before implementation, the working group recommended funding plans, annual reporting and accountability, an EMS commission, and review of legal and state maintenance-of-effort requirements. Public comments generally supported additional EMS funding, while raising questions about whether 0.25 mills would be sufficient, how to prevent the funding from replacing municipal contributions, and how allocations and staffing needs would be handled. No contracts were awarded or procurement decisions made.