Public Safety Committee Meeting

The Washington County, Wisconsin Public Safety Committee held a meeting on September 2, 2026, focused primarily on discussing the county's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system proposal. The committee reviewed feedback from recent EMS listening sessions, financial breakdowns, and SMART goals aimed at improving EMS services while maintaining tax rate neutrality. Key procurement-related discussions included the proposed EMS funding model, which reduced total EMS funding from $3.5 million to approximately $2.96 million by incorporating sales tax revenue alongside the EMS levy to achieve a tax-neutral impact for 2027. The committee also discussed the distribution of funds to 13 EMS departments, including municipal and volunteer fire departments, and the potential for regional collaboration and shared services to reduce costs. A significant policy topic was the consideration of an opt-out clause allowing municipalities to decline participation in the EMS levy, with the committee leaning toward an opt-in approach to encourage proactive municipal engagement. The committee reached a consensus to move the current EMS funding proposal and SMART goals forward to the full county board for consideration, with further work planned on the opt-out/opt-in policy and detailed financial impacts for municipalities. No formal votes were recorded, but a majority consensus was noted to advance the proposal.