NAMPA, Idaho — It was a record setting turn out at the polls on Tuesday, and four different counties had items on their ballots addressing emergency services. Many levies were passed, while one failed again.
Canyon County Ambulance Levy fails
Canyon County Ambulance District was the one district that fell short asking voters to pass a levy.
"It doesn't mean we give up, but it is definitely an uphill battle that you just have to keep pushing forward," Chief Michael Stowell told KTVB Thursday.
This was the second time voters saw the levy on their ballot.
Back in the May the district asked voters to raise the levy rate from its current rate of $10.15 per $100,000 of taxable value up to $31.34 per $100,000.
At the $31.24 rate, Stowell says that would have given them $8 million a year. The money would have helped hire 12 staff members, buy a new ambulance, build a new Caldwell station and replace a south Nampa station.
For the November general election, the district lowered the rate of the levy in hopes it would pass.
The rate was lower to $25.10 per $100,000 of taxable value, which would have given the district $5.8 million dollars a year. With lowering the rate, they would have been able to hire seven staff members, buy a new ambulance, build the Caldwell station, and replace the South Nampa station.
The levy failed for the second time on Tuesday. It needed a super majority to pass, which is 66%. It only received 47.47% of yes votes.
"It's definitely tough to operate under understaffed," Stowell said. "Our paramedics and EMT joined the profession to help people, and it's very difficult to help people when our response times are getting longer, because we have fewer ambulances out there to respond to the call."
Stowell said services aren't on the chopping block, but the station will have to continue working understaffed and underfunded, which will continue to effect respond and wait times.
"I hate to paint the worst picture," Stowell said. "Somebody can die from anything, but especially those time sensitive emergencies. But it isn't even just somebody might die. It's if we get to you and get you to definitive care, which is at the hospital, you might leave the hospital, but not where you could be if we got there sooner."
Stowell said the district has a meeting with the board soon to determine if they will ask voters to pass levy in the May election.
The south Nampa station, Medic 41, will come down no matter what. The district does not own that property. Stowell says property owners have different plans, and apartments will be built there.
Stowell said he does not know an exact date the building will come down.
The Valley County EMS District passes
The Valley County EMS District passed their EMS levy. It needed a two thirds super majority of 66% and two third to pass. It was passed with 69.53%.
It will raise the current levy rate of $12 per 100,000 of taxable value to $35.52 per 100,000. The increase will start in 2026. This was the third time voters have seen the levy.
"I felt like it failed last November, it failed in May, and each time it failed, we built more community support and more teamwork with our fire districts from the top down," McCall Fire Chief Garrett de Young told KTVB Wednesday.
Valley County EMS contracts with McCall, Donnelly and Cascade fire districts to provide EMS services. Fire crews are cross trained to be in the fire engine or the ambulance.
"Our average employee work 60 hours a week over the last couple years. We try to maintain four people with a minimum of three.
With the levy passing the district will be able to fund more full time EMS positions, and another county ambulance.
East Boise County Ambulance District passes
East Boise County Ambulance District asked voters to pass a new EMS district that give them a new governing board, who will set a new levy rate.
It passed on the first go around. It needed a simple majority of more than 50% to pass. It passed with 87.97%.
"It's just amazing to have the support of the community and to know that they're behind us every step of the way." Mari Adams, director of operations for East Boise County Ambulance District.
The new levy rate will not be set until a new three-member board is formed and decides the rate.
Currently the rate sits at $13 per $100,000 of assessed property value each year. Legally, the most the district could increase the rate to is $40 per $100,000. If the district decides to take the full amount that would be a $27 increase a year for taxpayers.
"The max is $40... we cannot go any higher, but there is a chance that it may be lower than that," Adams previously told KTVB. "We're only going to do what is needed to run this district."
Adams said county commissioners who currently make decision for the soon to be old ambulance district will choose new board members for the new EMS District in the next few weeks.
"We're going to be able to continue the support for everyone and to do what we need to do, and make sure that the community is covered," Adams said Thursday. "So, it's really beyond words."
Marsing Ambulance District passes
The Marsing Ambulance District in Owyhee County also asked voters to pass a new EMS District, and gain control over decision making. The new district needed a simple majority of more than 50% to pass. It was with 85.6%.
This did not have a funding component with it. Taxpayers will not see an increase in taxes by passing the new EMS District.