A Star Valley Ambulance parked outside of Star Valley Health. SVI PHOTO

Lincoln County Commissioners are scheduled to take public comment on March 17 regarding a proposed tax district that would financially support emergency medical services in Star Valley. The proposal for the formation of the district came before the commission on February 3 by the administration of Star Valley Health.

RELATED: RADIO INTERVIEW WITH COMMISSIONER MEL SHUMWAY –

According to Commissioner Mel Shumway, a district boundary that aligns with the current North Lincoln Hospital District has been submitted and approved by the county assessor and the Wyoming Department of Revenue. “Public notifications will be published on March 4 and 11, and it should be on the county website already,” stated Shumway during a live interview on SVI Radio. “March 17th will be the public hearing for public input. After the public hearing it will go to a 60 day period.”

Commissioner Shumway explained that after the 60 days it will come back before the commission to sign or reject a resolution to form the district. If approved, the committee who proposed the district will then present names for 3-9 board members for the commissioners to approve. The newly created board would then propose what mill levy they want to present to the public for a ballot initiative in November.

“The public will vote for the mill levy set by the newly formed EMS District Board,” continued Shumway. “It can be from one to four mills, and it must be approved by the majority of votes.”

“Star Valley Health supports the formation of an EMS District. Providing for and growing a healthy community is at the core of what we do, and sustainable emergency services are critical to the future of a healthy Lincoln County,” commented Star Valley Health CEO Daniel Ordyna in a statement to SVI Media. “We all count on EMS to be there when we need it most. A new district that we can partner with does just that.”

Those who would like to attend and comment in the public hearing on March 17 can do so in the Commissioner Board Room at 925 Sage Avenue in Kemmerer or via the live remote location in Afton at 421 Jefferson St.