BARAGA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Bay Ambulance of Baraga County is currently in a standoff with the L’Anse Township board regarding a long-time withholding of millage funds for services in that area.
Since 1991, Bay Ambulance has received monthly payments from the townships it provides with emergency medical assistance and transport. These services reach across over six surrounding communities including L’Anse Township, the largest on that list.
In February of 2024, L’Anse Township agreed to the idea of increasing its monthly funds from 1 mill to 2 mills. Just a few months later, the township backed the proposal down to 1.5 mills, as long as its contract was properly updated.
Upon this agreement, and an 83% support for the millage by L’Anse voters, Bay Ambulance says the township instead became inactive in its regular payments in 2025, leading to the involvement of legal counsel.
“It wasn’t until 2024 when we decided that we had to ask for an additional millage so we could hire more parametics and provide the service we wanted to provide,” explained Bay Ambulance Director, Gary Wadaga. “And they did agree to that for 2025.”
In May 2025 at a L’Anse Township meeting, a motion was approved to cover the unpaid amount of $216,611. Five days later, the township only made half of this payment (108,305.50) without a second half until February of 2026.
In April of 2026, Bay Ambulance says the township sent them an email regarding it’s current contract, stating: “The Township will need the contract to read that the payment will be made at half in December 2026 and half in April 2027 following the winter tax collection period of 2026.” The email allegedly provided no request to negotiate these terms. Bay Ambulance then sought legal action again.
After multiple unanswered attourney emails and letters to the township, Bay Ambulance decided to share this inaction with its community.
“We went public with it, because essentially they’re collecting millage and we’re not receiving it,” said Wadaga. “They don’t want to pay for the ’26 contract until late ’26 and into ’27. We would love to go back to the monthly payment process that they requested years ago, but just to be supported earlier in the year for the services that we provide.”
Board members from Bay Ambulance and L’Anse Township have recently agreed to a meeting mid-August to form a clearer roadmap for the future of keeping its residents safe.
WZMQ 19 has reached out and is waiting for a response from the L’Anse Township board.
