Bay Ambulance says L'Anse Township has collected voter-approved millage money for emergency medical services but failed to pass it along on time, leaving the nonprofit rural ambulance provider chasing more than $216,000 in delayed payments over the past year and a half.

The dispute, which Bay Ambulance Director Gary Wadaga disclosed publicly on Tuesday, Aug. 11, has escalated to legal counsel. Both sides have agreed to meet in mid-August to try to establish a formal payment schedule.

"We went public with it, because essentially they're collecting millage and we're not receiving it," Wadaga told WZMQ 19 in a report published Tuesday, Aug. 11. "They don't want to pay for the '26 contract until late '26 and into '27."

How the payments stalled

Bay Ambulance, based in Baraga, has received monthly millage payments from the townships it serves since 1991. L'Anse Township is the largest of more than six communities in its service area.

In February 2024, the township agreed to raise its contribution from 1 mill to 2 mills so Bay Ambulance could hire more paramedics. The township later scaled that back to 1.5 mills, contingent on a contract update. L'Anse voters then approved the millage with 83% support.

But Bay Ambulance says regular payments stopped in 2025. At a May 2025 township meeting, the board approved a motion to cover $216,611 in unpaid funds. Five days later, the township sent only half: $108,305.50. The remaining half did not arrive until February 2026, according to WZMQ 19's reporting.

April email deepened the rift

In April 2026, the township emailed Bay Ambulance about the current-year contract, stating it would need the agreement to split payment into two installments: half in December 2026 and half in April 2027, following winter tax collection. Bay Ambulance says the email offered no opportunity to negotiate.

Wadaga said the agency retained legal counsel again. After multiple attorney letters to the township went unanswered, Bay Ambulance decided to go public.

The L'Anse Township Board has not publicly commented on the dispute. WZMQ 19 reported it was awaiting a response from the township as of Aug. 11.

What's at stake

Bay Ambulance is a nonprofit Advanced Life Support service operating four ambulances across about 1,500 square miles and serving roughly 9,000 residents in Baraga County. Wadaga, who has led the agency since 1982, said the millage increase was specifically sought to hire additional paramedics and expand service capacity.

As of Tuesday, Aug. 4, no signed 2026 service contract existed between Bay Ambulance and L'Anse Township, WLUC TV6 reported.

No exact date or agenda for the mid-August meeting has been confirmed.