Presque_Isle_Special_Meeting_Minutes_May19_2026

TOWN OF PRESQUE ISLE Special Town Board Meeting Minutes May 19, 2026 Chair: Chair Eschenbauch Present: Supervisor Carl Wolter Present: Supervisor Logan Weber CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Eschenbauch called the Special Town Board Meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. AGENDA Chair Eschenbauch stated there is one item on the agenda for this special meeting: a new proposed Operational Procedure for the Northwoods EMS District, along with a proposed budget adjustment, which the Town has been asked to adopt. DISCUSSION – NORTHWOODS EMS DISTRICT PROPOSED OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES Chair Eschenbauch noted that he has previously stated his opposition to this proposed change on several occasions. He indicated that the Towns of Boulder Junction and Manitowish Waters have adopted the change. He opened the floor for board discussion. Supervisor Wolter stated he does not make decisions without first reviewing documents. He noted he had just received the materials and would need to take them home to review them. He stated his belief that the EMS District has been operating well as-is, and that if the other two board members do not see a need for change, he does not either. Discussion clarified that the proposed document is a new intermunicipal agreement for the Northwoods Emergency Medical Service District, distinct from the existing agreement in place since fall of 2024. Chair Eschenbauch suggested that if Supervisor Wolter wished to review the updated document, further discussion could continue at the final session on Thursday. PUBLIC COMMENT / STATEMENT – BILL Our Town’s NEMSD Representative, Phil Harris (identified as having done extensive research on this matter), was recognized and read a prepared statement. Key points included: Recognition and Gratitude: Phil thanked the Presque Isle Town Board, Chair Eschenbauch, Supervisors, committee members, residents, volunteers, first responders, firefighters, and EMTs for their decades of service and personal sacrifice to the community. He noted that Northwoods EMS is not meant to replace that legacy but to build upon and strengthen it. Purpose of the District: The four towns came together under Wisconsin Statute 66.0301(2) to create a reliable, sustainable, high-quality EMS system. With the support of the towns, Chief Jason Joling, Deputy Chief Jesse Mabe, and EMS staff, the district has become operational and is already providing strong service. District Performance: The district provides two fully staffed, 24/7/365 ALS ambulances across four towns from two locations. Average out-the-door times are 90 seconds or less, with average on-scene arrival of approximately 13 minutes. The district has maintained strong staffing with very little turnover. District Formation and Governance: The district was created by the Towns of Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters, Presque Isle, and Winchester under Wisconsin Statute 66.0301(2). Each town appointed one voting director to the NEMSD Board. Bylaws may only be amended by majority vote of the Board of Directors at a regular or special meeting called for that purpose (Bylaws, final version 2/15/2024, Articles 1, 2, and 7). Legal Review: The bylaws were reviewed by attorney Steve Garbowitz, the Wisconsin Towns Association, consultant Dana Seckler, Regional Director of Rural Health James Small, and ultimately all four town chairmen and 12 supervisors. Attorney John Wagman of Wild Riley (recommended by Manitowish Waters Fire Company) opined that the bylaws are legal and enforceable, contain nothing contrary to Wisconsin law, and that the district has the ability to accrue funds for future capital projects. Capital Reserves: District-held reserves for future ambulance purchases and facility needs create predictability, transparency, accountability, and stability. Reserve funds are earmarked by specific purpose (e.g., building account and ambulance account). These reserves represent a relatively small portion of the total budget and represent sound fiscal practice. Budget: The 2026 budget is nearly identical to the 2025 budget. It reflects responsible updates based on real operating experience, corrected revenue assumptions based on actual transport data, and necessary EMS operating costs. Chief Joling was involved throughout the budget process, as were board members and consultant Dana Seckler, who supplied the budget template from the district's inception. Meetings were properly noticed and minutes well kept. Ambulance Reimbursement: The budget includes an agreed reimbursement structure of $12 per loaded mile for ambulance use by the district. This is intended to equitably address wear, maintenance, and replacement planning for the ambulances owned by each town. Approximate annual cost is $80,000. Manitowish Waters' arrangement differs as the fire company provides the ambulance. External Benchmark: The Maine Rural Health Research Center Rural Ambulance Cost Study estimated $1.04M–$2.25M annually for a minimum access rural model with one staffed ambulance. The Northwoods EMS District provides two fully staffed ALS ambulances at approximately a $2.2M budget, which is responsible and defensible by external standards. Proposed Bylaw Changes: Phil stated he has reviewed the proposed new operational procedures extensively. He noted that the most recent proposal does not include the previously attempted provision requiring district board directors to be elected town board members. However, the proposal redefines the powers of the member towns versus the board. Notably, Section 3C would give member towns 'sole authority to amend any provisions of this agreement' and require approval of each member — a significant departure from the existing bylaws. Phil characterized the proposal as a complete rewrite that redefines hiring practices, financial authority, and board governance. Phil concluded by stating he has supporting citations, statutes, emails, meeting minutes, and agendas available for review by any interested party. He thanked the board for the opportunity to speak. BOARD DISCUSSION Board members discussed the bylaw amendment process. Chair Eschenbauch clarified that under the current bylaws, any bylaw change must originate as a motion at a properly noticed NEMSD board meeting, pass by majority vote of the district board, and then be brought back to the four member towns for signature. Town board votes alone do not constitute a bylaw change. It was noted that since the current district board consists of one representative from each of the four towns, a 2-2 tie on any proposed change would constitute a failed motion, effectively a dead issue. Phil referenced an email from former district president John Hanson stating that if the four towns cannot reach majority agreement, a change is probably not warranted. A board member inquired whether it would be appropriate for the Town to make a formal statement affirming its support for the existing bylaws, rather than taking no action. Chair Eschenbauch indicated he saw no harm in such a statement. MOTION Motion: Supervisor Wolter moved that the Town of Presque Isle stand with the original bylaws of the Northwoods EMS District and commends the district for the good work it has done. Second: Supervisor Weber seconded the motion. Vote: Aye: Supervisor Wolter, Supervisor Weber, Chair Eschenbauch Opposed: None Motion carried. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Posted by: Lori Thomas, Town Clerk,