August 3, 2026 – Newburg, WI – Every resident of Washington County wants exceptional Emergency Medical Services. The question isn’t whether we should strengthen EMS—it’s whether we should do so in a way that preserves transparency, accountability, and local control.
Would you buy an insurance policy without knowing the premium?
That is essentially what Washington County is asking taxpayers to do with its proposed countywide EMS levy.
Before making one of the most significant changes to EMS governance in decades, taxpayers deserve complete information, meaningful public discussion, and the time to make an informed decision.
Early in this process, County Executive Josh Schoemann’s presentation assured municipalities there would be “No penalty to back out if program does not meet village expectations.” That promise inspired confidence. Today, many residents and local officials are asking a simple question: Where is that commitment? If it was part of the original presentation, why is it no longer part of the proposal moving toward approval?
Financial transparency is equally important. Asking municipalities to support a permanent countywide levy without fully understanding the long-term costs is like buying an insurance policy without knowing the premium. Taxpayers deserve better.
According to the County’s own estimates, the Village of Newburg would contribute approximately $18,064 through the proposed levy while receiving only about $10,562 in first-year funding—a difference of more than $7,500.
Residents deserve to understand why our community would contribute substantially more than it receives and why administrative costs are retained before more funding reaches the EMS providers delivering emergency care.
We’ve also been told the only alternatives are a countywide levy or requiring every municipality to pursue its own referendum. That is not the complete picture. Wisconsin Statute §66.0602(3)(h) provides another legal path for municipalities to cooperate while preserving local governance and accountability. That option deserves the same thoughtful consideration as any countywide proposal.
At its core, this debate is about more than ambulances. It is about who controls emergency medical services, who controls the tax dollars, and who remains accountable to the people who pay the bills.
Although the proposal speaks of preserving local control, the County would ultimately establish the program, determine funding priorities, and guide its future direction. Local representation is valuable, but it is not the same as local authority.
Residents also deserve answers to another reasonable question: Why is a new countywide levy being proposed before existing County resources have been fully explained? Before asking taxpayers for a permanent new levy, the County should clearly demonstrate why existing revenues and available funding sources cannot adequately support this initiative.
And perhaps the biggest question is: Why the rush? The County’s biennial budget is not due until 2027. There is time to present complete financial information, evaluate every legal funding option, and allow municipalities and taxpayers to understand the long-term consequences before making a decision that may be difficult to reverse.
The proposal is described as an eight-year agreement, but decisions involving governance and taxation can have consequences that last far beyond the initial term. Once authority is centralized and taxpayers become accustomed to funding a program through a countywide levy, reversing course can become significantly more difficult. That is precisely why this decision deserves careful consideration rather than an accelerated timeline.
This proposal has been under development for many months, yet many residents are only now learning its details as it approaches approval. A proposal of this magnitude deserves broad public engagement from the beginning—not after most of the framework has already been developed.
I also hope to see more of our County Supervisors attend local Village, Town, and City meetings throughout Washington County. Hearing directly from residents—their questions, concerns, and ideas—can only strengthen the decisions they make on behalf of the communities they represent.
Washington County has a proud history of cooperation among its Villages, Towns, Cities, and EMS providers. True partnership is built on transparency, mutual respect, and shared decision-making—not on asking communities to transfer authority before all of the information is available.
The County Executive originally promised there would be “No penalty to back out if program does not meet village expectations.” If that promise still stands, then let’s honor it. Slow this process down. Share all of the facts. Discuss every legal alternative. Give municipalities the opportunity to determine whether this proposal truly meets their expectations.
Good government welcomes informed citizens. If this proposal is truly the best path forward, it should withstand complete transparency, open public discussion, and the time necessary for residents to make an informed decision.
The Village of Newburg Board of Trustees has scheduled a Special Meeting and Open Forum on Thursday, August 6, at 6:30 p.m. at the Newburg Community Center. I encourage the entire Newburg community to attend, ask questions, voice concerns, and hear the discussion before important decisions are made.
Transparency before taxation. Transparency before centralization. Transparency before commitment. That’s how lasting public trust is built.
Paul Zimdars
Village Trustee, Village of Newburg
Title provided for identification purposes only. The views expressed are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Village Board.
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Well said!