Commissioners Extend Meeting Regarding MV EMS District
A public hearing of the Adams County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) to consider a petition that recommends the dissolution and redistricting of the Meadows Valley Ambulance District was continued for a fourth session on Tuesday, June 9. The public hearing began on March 10, 2026 and was continued at two additional gatherings on March 12 and April 20. The June 9 meeting was adjourned with an additional continuation date of Monday, Aug. 3 at 6:00 p.m. at the Historic P. & I.N. Depot in New Meadows. At the original gathering, the BOCC set a decision deadline of Aug. 10. The last day to submit a ballot item for the November election is Aug. 28.
The third continuation and this one were held at the Meadows Valley Fire Station with the Meadows Valley Rural Fire District Commissioners (MVFD). In April, the MVFD requested the BOCC send questions to them so they could answer concerns at the next meeting. It was explained by County Attorney Peter Donovan that BOCC members may not discuss or share details with one another outside of the public hearings in order to abide by open meeting laws. This allows the public to hear all discussions and helps prevent private deals.
MVFD Commissioner Tracy Peterson shared questions sent to their board from Council EMS Director Cody Murphy at the request of Commissioner Viki Purdy. Peterson said they had answered to the best of their ability, but were “blown away” at the audit focus of the questions. County Commissioner Joe Iveson said this was the first time he was seeing those questions. This was when Donovan explained ensuring commissioners did not talk outside of meetings so the commissioners could not share between themselves via email or otherwise.
Meeting discussion also revealed that questions from Iveson were sent but not seen by the majority, if not all, of the MVFD Commissioners. He had two questions. One was, “What is the levy rate MVFD would like applied for a new district?” MVFD Commissioners said that decision would be up to the new EMS Board. MV Fire Commissioner Amanda Branstetter added that in all discussions so far they were not asking for an increase and that “we recommended that the budget stay the same.”
Donovan read Iveson’s second question that asked if the desired terms of a new contract between the fire district and proposed ambulance district could be shared with the BOCC ahead of a decision on the petition. MVFD replied with a few answers including that they could not detail a contract with an as of yet created entity, but ended saying basically that their answer would need more time.
The meeting began with Purdy inviting any new public comment. Assistant Fire Chief Mark Peterson asked why the petition has not gone to the voters yet and how Brundage expansion was approved without consideration of emergency services costs and coverage or charging impact or development fees. The BOCC responded that Brundage has emergency coverage, but M. Peterson countered that it was only in the winter time.
Later, Iveson said, “I want everyone to think about, why do we need to do this now? I think it might be too early.” MVFD Commissioner Keith Westengard said, “Number one, we did a resolution, we have a petition, you keep saying Brundage does not want to be deannexed, but we have a petition with 110 signatures that say we would like it deannexed and on the ballot.” Iveson said, “That’s why we’re oversight,” noting there are a lot of other voters. Westengard replied, “If it doesn’t pass then that’s fine…we just want it on the ballot for the educated voters of this district to make a decision and you keep stonewalling.”
Iveson said, “I think you guys are being super closed minded, what I’m saying is maybe now is not the right time. Maybe a year from now, maybe two, maybe it’s five. As long as they, Brundage, are not a burden.” T. Peterson said, “I understand what you’re saying and I don’t disagree with you, except that I think now is the time. The reason I think that with Brundage Mountain is that it sets a precedent moving forward…and if we don’t, what are we leaving ourselves open to in the future? What I’m not OK with is the three of you not letting it go to the ballot.”
T. Peterson also read a quote from Brundage General Manager Ken Rider on the company’s website saying they are prioritizing the safety and health of their guests by “creating and enhancing our own independent agencies.” The quote, from a 2024 post about the resort creating its own fire department and expanding EMS services, also says these efforts mean they “can relieve some stress from the EMS and emergency systems in Meadows Valley.”
Later on, volunteer Justin Peterson said, “We’re behind the ball with the whole Brundage development, what about the next development?” Iveson replied, “We are preparing for that, yes. We are working through the Brundage agreement. Like I said, they haven’t been a big burden.” Many references were made to new developments currently being discussed at the county level. Fire Chief Doug Buys added later, “You’re working to make sure this doesn’t happen again, and I appreciate that, but kind of how we got here is we’re not involved.” He asked how they can be involved in consulting on new developments before decisions are made saying, “I think you can go a long way for my people to be involved in that.” Purdy said they were welcome to attend any P&Z meetings and Iveson added they would “make you aware” of any larger developments.
Traci Foster commented that she appreciated the meetings and they have been helpful “so I can understand and come to an informed decision if it were to go to a vote.” She also was in touch via text with Brundage CEO Bob Looper who gave permission to share his statements. Regarding year round EMS, Looper said, “We are currently open just winter and summer season. We do not staff an EMT on the mountain after 6:00 p.m. We do have the ability to have first responders at night on the mountain who can dispatch our fire or EMS team. Realistically full coverage will come over the next 5 years with our slow build out.”
George Bevan asked if the BOCC could adjust the timing of redistricting after the vote. Donovan explained, “The boundaries of the proposed new district are either set in the petition or modified by the commissioners and go to the voters…The current pre 2020 district is malleable as far as changing boundaries of a district, but if we create a new district then the boundary is set and more strict.”
Volunteer EMT and Firefighter Rebecca Davis described the work of a volunteer noting full time jobs, families and training hours on top of emergency responses. She also brought up the large elderly population in the area and concerns about who would be able to volunteer in the future. She said related to the contentious debate, “In the big picture, we’re all supposed to be working for the common health of our community.” Purdy said, “We need to hire people to be in there 24 hours a day at some point, but deannexing Brundage is not going to help us do that. I’m just trying to do the right thing. I don’t like the way this is put together and I think we can do better.” Iveson also asked why the MVFD proposed removing Brundage from the EMS district, “when we know afterward you will be signing a mutual aid agreement with them.”
Commissioner Ward made a motion to accept the petition without modification and let it go to a November vote. There was no second and the motion died. Iveson said he would be reaching out to different people in New Meadows and would be ready at the next meeting to make a motion or second one. Ward said he wanted the decision to be made well ahead of the November vote saying, “We have to allow you guys the time to educate all of the voters up here. My only request is let’s not push this out another two months to get there.”
