Richland County approves agreement for ambulance services to 2027

The Richland County Board has decided that municipalities must sign an interim ambulance service agreement extending to January 1, 2027, to continue receiving county ambulance services. This moves beyond the previous plan for a three-month extension ending April 1, 2026. County Executive Tricia Clements said the current EMS model, in place since 2014, is no longer financially sustainable. The new 12-month agreement aims to stabilize funding and staffing, which have been concerns due to budget shortfalls and a shift from on-call to full-time personnel. Most municipalities agreed to the extension, but questions remain about the future funding and affordability of the service, especially from the City of Richland Center. The Ambulance Service handles over 1,100 calls per year across 10 towns, villages, and the city. A Joint Ambulance Committee meeting to discuss the service’s future is scheduled for Tuesday.