Lincoln County Supervisors Approve Updated EMS Agreement With Merrill

A proposed update to the agreement governing emergency medical services in the Merrill area has cleared one major hurdle, with Lincoln County supervisors voting Tuesday to approve the contract. The agreement, negotiated by county and city officials over the summer, would increase county funding for emergency medical services from $1.3 million in 2026 to $1.6 million in 2027. Funding would then receive a 2% annual adjustment under the proposed terms. The agreement updates a contract that had not undergone a major overhaul since 2007. Lincoln County has coordinated regional EMS services since 1969, working with Merrill Fire and EMS in the southern part of the county and Aspirus Health in the north.

Under the new arrangement, Lincoln County would supply ambulances and communications equipment, while the City of Merrill would be responsible for staffing and medical supplies. Officials say the updated terms are intended to give the city greater operational flexibility as call volumes rise while providing the county with more predictable long-term costs.

County Board Chair Don Friske and Merrill Mayor Steve Hass outlined the agreement in a joint news release. Friske acknowledged that negotiations included disagreements but said the two sides reached an agreement intended to maintain high-quality emergency medical response while respecting the city’s ability to oversee its organization.

The County Board approved the agreement by voice vote Tuesday. The City of Merrill’s Committee of the Whole is expected to consider the contract at its meeting next Tuesday. The agreement is not yet fully approved by both parties; Merrill’s consideration is the next step in the process.