EMS in Hot Seat in Cross Plains/Town of Berry area

Dating back almost 50 years, an EMS (Emergency Medical Sevices) contract has covered the Village of Cross Plains, Town of Cross Plains, Town of Berry and part of the Town of Springfield. 

EMS is vitally important. If there is a car accident, EMS is called. If there is a fire they are called if people are in danger. If someone has a heart attack, falls down the stairs or a tree falls on someone, EMS is called.

Now there is a dispute regarding these services. The way things work now is that each of the four municipal entities listed above has one seat on a four-person governing board. But the cost is paid roughly proportional to population with large Village of Cross Plains paying close to 60% of the costs because they have over 50% of the population. 

The Village of Cross Plains has indicated they may want to withdraw from the contract. If they do, they must notify the board by December 1 and then the contract will dissolve two years later on December 1, 2027.

Naturally the smaller municipal entities don't want this. They don't want to be pushed around by a larger entity. They believe the situation is fair as it is right now.

What we have here is quite similar to the fundamental question of representation faced by our Founding Fathers in 1787 when they wrote the U.S. Constitution. The small states wanted one vote per state and the large states wanted representation proportional to population. 

Thankfully back then, a compromise was reached with Senate representation equal per state and House representation proportional to population. 

Let's hope the concerns of all sides can be carefully evaluated and a fair deal be reached so that all those in need get quality EMS at the most reasonable cost.