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The House has approved a proposal to eliminate $700 million in already-approved funding for public media. If enacted, it would strip essential services and could force rural stations off the air. The Senate will take up the bill next.

Glacier County Again Puts EMS Funding To The Voters

Ambulances at the Glacier County EMS facility.
Aaron Bolton
/
Montana Public Radio
Ambulances at the Glacier County EMS facility.

Glacier County says its longstanding financial issues are putting its emergency medical service program at risk of closing down and in order to save it, county commissioners are putting two mill levies on the June 2 ballot.

One would fund ongoing EMS operations, bringing in $1 million per year. That levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home an additional $50 annually. Commissioners are also asking voters to increase property taxes for the next five years so the county can pay itself back roughly $330,000 for the construction of its EMS facility. Both levies would raise mill rates by about 48.

County voters shot down similar proposals in early 2019. County commissioners say they will focus more on community education ahead of the vote.

Aaron joined the MTPR team in 2019. He reports on all things in northwest Montana and statewide health care.

aaron@mtpr.org or call/text at 612-799-1269
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