The Colusa County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday created the citizens advisory committee that will eventually make all recommendations as to how revenue from the half-cent sales tax increase will be spent to provide ground ambulance services within Colusa County.
The seven-member committee will have members from each of the five Supervisorial Districts and two representing emergency medical services/first responders, said Colusa County Chief Executive Officer Wendy Tyler.
“One member will be appointed by each (Supervisor) and two EMS/First Responder members will be appointed by the full board,” Tyler said. “The EMS members would serve two-year terms. The supervisorial members would serve a (four-year) term concurrent with their appointee supervisor.”
The passage of Measure A in the Nov. 8, 2022 election led to Colusa County adopting Ordinance 829, which included a provision for the establishment of the committee, officials said.
The committee will study problems of general or special interest to the board regarding ground ambulance services, make reports, and recommend the expenditure of funds derived from the special countywide local sales tax imposed with the passage of Measure A.
Colusa County officials have estimated the sales tax increase will generate about $2 million annually.
The committee must meet at least once per year, but Tyler said there may be greater responsibilities from the group once the county goes through the request for proposals process for ambulance services and the funds start coming in on April 1.
Officials said it is likely the committee will recommend payment for direct services until such a time they decide enhancements to ground ambulance service should be needed and made.
The next step will be for the county to publish a notice for the vacant positions.
Each supervisor will choose their district’s member, which will come before the board for confirmation of appointment. The full Board of Supervisors will consider and appoint the two EMS/First Responder members from the available applicants.
Supervisors expect the appointments to be finalized in March or possibly early April.
According to the resolution, the committee, which is a standing committee subject to provisions of the Brown Act, will have no restrictions on reappointments for its members to serve successive terms. ■