CHENANGO COUNTY – County policymakers say they’re still awaiting state approval to implement a “motor vehicle use fee” needed to help fund the county’s newly created EMS service.

County officials passed a home rule law imposing the tax over a year ago, making the case that it could generate nearly $300,000 in revenues each year that would support a county-run EMS. The county had previously struggled to find ways of supporting the service.

The tax includes a $5 annual motor vehicle use fee for county residents with vehicles that are 3,500 pounds or less, and a $10 annual fee for heavier vehicles. Because most vehicle registrations are renewed bi-annuallly, motorists can expect to pay $10 or $20 more to cover these additional fees when they renew their two-year registration at the DMV. Vehicles with farm or agriculture plates are exempt.

Contentiously, the measure was approved under provisions of the NYS Municipal Home Rule Law by the Chenango County Board of Supervisors in August, 2021, and went to the Office of the Secretary of State for the final nod.

But county officials haven’t gotten approval yet, according to County Clerk Brian Wessels. Wessels says he’s checked repeatedly to see if the tax has been approved. Not only has it not been approved, he said he’s been told by the Office of the Secretary of State that it’s “not a priority.”

Without state approval, the county EMS services is looking at a nearly $300,000 revenue loss for its 2023 budget, making it likely that money will be taken from the county’s emergency management reserves.

“We're hopeful that at least by January of next year that it [the motor vehicle use fee] will be in place and we can collect revenue,” said County Emergency Management Office Director Matt Beckwith, noting that his department is looking to use money from the $585,000 in its capital reserve account to compensate the shortage.

“That’s a challenge if the money doesn’t come through by next year,” said Columbus Supervisor Diane Scalzo, who sits on the county’s safety and rules committee.

The safety and rules committee was briefed on the issue at its regular meeting earlier this month, some members questioning if there should be a backup plan in place should the motor vehicle use fee not be approved. Scalzo said the loss of revenue would be “huge” for the EMS service.

The county believes the additional motor vehicle use fee will generate between $290,000 and $300,000 in revenue each year, with New York State collecting 31 cents per transaction. Money collected by the county would then be used to fund an EMS start-up to serve Chenango County townships that don’t have an ambulance service, and to support financially-strapped towns that do.

Last August, Chenango County adopted the paid ambulance service, focusing primarily on an EMS void in the Afton and Otselic areas. The service started at an estimated cost of $600,000 annually, but it’s expected that costs will rise each year.

A county-wide EMS service was undertaken to address the diminishing volunteer base needed to continue ambulance services in all four corners of the county.