EMS Funding
Frequently Asked Questions

This measure must pass by a two-thirds supermajority, or 66 and 2/3 percent.

Yes. In November 2023 voters approved the new EMS district but the funding mechanism was not put in place. The proposed levy rate increase on the November ballot failed by just 48 votes.

POLLING LOCATIONS (open 8am – 8pm on May 21st):
▪️ American Legion Hall at 105 E. Mill Street in Cascade will be the polling location for the Alpha, Cascade and West Mountain precincts.

▪️ Donnelly Bible Church at 159 FW Gestrin Street in Donnelly will be the polling location for the Donnelly and Roseberry precincts.

▪️ Idaho First Bank at 475 Deinhard Lane in McCall will be the polling location for the McCall and Payette Precincts.

Not sure which precinct you are? Find your location here.

The current levy rate was originally set in 2009 and provided for an annual EMS budget of $740,000, three times less than what EMS service providers had asked for. This was based mostly on the assumption that the district could rely on volunteer ambulance services.

However, what worked in 2009 is not working in 2024. For example, in 2009, the Cascade Rural Fire Protection District had only three full-time staff members and 24 local volunteers. Today, they have nine full-time staff members and four local volunteers.

While funded separately, EMS services are provided by the fire districts. Historic funding shortfall has been subsidized by the fire districts, a burden that is unsustainable for all stakeholders. 

The new levy rate will generate a $4.06 million annual budget that will fund staffing, equipment, and maintenance of EMS services for all communities in Valley County. 85% of the budget will go toward personnel costs.

Under the county levy-based tax system, EMS services are funded separately from fire services.

Current Valley County taxing districts include:

• Valley Countywide EMS District
  • Revenue is generated under the county levy-based tax system, as defined by state statue.
  • The EMS district has an independent and separate board of commissioners from the County and Fire Districts.
• Cascade Rural Fire District
• Donnelly Rural Fire Protection District
• McCall Fire Protection District

While funded separately, EMS services are provided by the fire districts.

In some counties (i.e. Ada County), EMS services are completely separate.

In Valley County, EMS services are provided by the fire districts for two primary reasons:

1. It is more cost effective. Rather than maintaining separate buildings, overhead, supplies, management, personnel, etc., EMS services can be paired with existing fire department infrastructure for mutual benefits.
2. Surge capacity. Fire districts work to cross-train personnel for both fire and EMS calls.

Overall, this model saves taxpayers money and provides higher quality emergency services.

In recent discussions of impact fees, it is also important to note that EMS and Fire are separate, and the fire district impact fees are not used to support EMS services.

INSTRUCTIONS: To vote in favor of the Special Tax Levy, place an X in the square at the left of the words “IN FAVOR OF.” To vote against the Special Tax Levy, place an X in the square at the left of the word “AGAINST.” If you change your mind, tear, or make a mistake on this ballot, request a new ballot from an election worker.

QUESTION: Shall the Board of Commissioners of the Valley Countywide EMS District be authorized and empowered to increase its levy and budget, pursuant to Idaho Code Section 63-802(1)(a), to defray its costs of staffing, equipping, and maintaining the District’s operations to provide ambulance transport and emergency medical services throughout Valley County. Specifically, an increase in the District’s budget from property tax, beyond the amount the District is currently authorized to levy pursuant to Idaho Code § 63-802, by the sum of TWO MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED FORTY TWO THROUSAND SIX HUNDRED THIRTY FIVE and No/100th Dollars ($2,742,635.00), commencing Fiscal Year 2024-2025, and which amount shall then be added to the District’s current established base budget amount for the purposes of Idaho Code § 63-802.

STATEMENT: The levy will be used to fund all District operations and will be a tax increase of $24.23 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based upon current conditions.

This increase would bring the levy rate up to .000359 ($36.23 per $100,000 of taxable value) and increase the overall EMS District funding from $1.32 million to $4.06 million annually.

A 2020 study conducted by Emergency Services Consulting International (ESCI) projected (click for full report):

• An overall increase in ambulance demand in Valley County of 58% by 2030.
• 53% increase in the Cascade Rural Fire District
• 42% in the Donnelly Rural Fire Protection District
• 80% in the McCall Fire Protection District
• An increase of 55% in the elderly population in Valley County by 2030

Fire departments report a significant increase in EMS calls over the last 10 years:

• Donnelly: 100.6% increase in EMS calls in the last 10 years with an average run time of 80 minutes per call.
• Cascade: 79% increase in EMS calls from 2010 – 2022.
• McCall: 41% increase in EMS calls from 2010 – 2022.

The Valley County Master Facilities Plan estimates a population increase of 22% by 2030 (based on a ten-year growth rate) – click for full report.

The number of new homes being built in Valley County has increased 276% over the last 10 years (and 150% between 2019 and 2021 alone) – click for detailed numbers.

Idaho Transportation Department Automatic Traffic Counters located in Donnelly show – click here for the data::

• A 30-year annual increase in vehicle traffic of 62.8%
• A 20-year annual increase in vehicle traffic of 48.9%
• A 24-hour annual average in vehicle traffic in the last 10 years of 44.5%

The Idaho Department of Commerce lodging tax collections for Valley County (an indicator of visitor volume) has increased 141% in the last five years.

The City of McCall 3% Local Option Tax on lodging properties has increased 314% over the last 10 years.