I agree with Mr. Reynolds letter regarding the EMS proposal. I have also been to the meetings held to discuss the proposal and have serious concerns about not only the future of EMS, but the current operation as well.
Mr. Reynolds barely mentioned transparency, but to me this is the biggest problem. There is no financial information available on the Meadows Valley Rural Fire website. There are no meetings dates listed. It has been said repeatedly by proponents of the proposal that we need local representation. When are the current fire commissioners up for election? How is the election advertised? I have never voted for a fire commissioner or even known there was an election. How will that give us better representation over one of the biggest line items on our property tax?
To my knowledge, there are zero reviewed financial reports available for the EMS operation. How much is the current fire chief paid, including benefits? How much has Meadows Valley Fire paid in legal fees on their effort to raise our taxes? How is it that the EMS has no assets after years of public funding? Why is the fire chief refusing to allow an inspection of the EMS equipment?
These are not inappropriate questions.
All the financial information from a taxing district is public and especially relevant given that the plan is to simply contract EMS services back to the fire operation.
The law that the EMS proposal has been relying on for the creation of a new taxing district was intended to provide a vehicle for consolidating county operations. Wisely, the law requires the approval of County Commissioners before appearing on the ballot. Mr. Reynolds urged the commissioners to tap the brakes. I say stomp on them and set the parking brake.
