York Select Board delays approval of $500k ambulance bailout question
York Select Board Postpones Funding Vote for Ambulance Service to Refine Conditions
The York Select Board decided on Tuesday night to delay a vote that would approve a special budget referendum for the York Ambulance Association (YAA) to receive additional funding. The postponement will give the board time to revise a series of conditions that the nonprofit emergency‑medical service must meet before the town can commit the money, officials said.
The board first heard that YAA was facing a deep financial deficit at a June 22 meeting and requested $180,000 in extra funds. That figure has since risen to $500,000, which includes the town’s voter‑approved annual contribution. On August 10 the board agreed to send a potential ballot question to the budget committee for review. The question would allow the town to pay YAA a maximum of $300,000 from its unassigned fund balance, with additional monthly payments made through the end of the service’s contract in June 2027 if the nonprofit can satisfy a set of conditions.
“If there’s some unanticipated windfall that makes that funding unnecessary, we’re not going to necessarily commit that full amount,” said Town Manager Peter Joseph. “It’ll be the actual demonstrated need based on monthly kind of financial reporting.”
In the August meeting the board presented six conditions and added a seventh for further consideration. The conditions aim to correct past communication delays, resolve debts, and increase oversight of the service’s finances.
Key conditions include:
Immediate notification of any financial or material developments – such as new loans or staffing changes. Vice Chair Marla Johnson added that the nonprofit should also include operational developments in these updates. “I think it’s important that those are immediately brought to our attention,” Johnson said.
Monthly financial reporting – YAA must submit detailed monthly financial reports and bank statements. The nonprofit’s treasurer, Armen Derderian, explained that a budget had not been completed in years, which made it hard for town officials to gauge demonstrated need.
Call‑activity and other data reporting – YAA must provide call‑activity reports and any other information the Select Board requests. Johnson and Chair Todd Frederick proposed amendments to ensure all requested data is included.
Creation of two board seats – The YAA board will need to create two positions, decided by a majority vote from the Select Board. Marilyn McLaughlin suggested that those seats be filled by individuals with medical‑billing experience.
Resolution of outstanding debts – YAA must develop a plan to repay a defaulted Small Business Association loan and pay off debt incurred from a new ambulance purchased before funding was secured. The town also requires that the nonprofit not encumber assets without first consulting the town.
Submission of the IRS Form 990 – Johnson added a seventh condition that YAA must submit its IRS 990 by the November deadline.
The board set deadlines for meeting the conditions, with particular emphasis on resolving the SBA loan and new‑ambulance debt before the Nov. 3 vote. The Select Board will revisit the conditions and any amendments on Sept. 14, when it will approve the special budget referendum.
If the conditions are satisfied, the town will be able to move forward with funding the YAA, which has long served the community’s emergency medical needs. The postponement is intended to ensure that the town’s investment is made with clear oversight and accountability, officials emphasized.
