A $157,256 (at least) hole just appeared in Washington’s budget for fiscal year 2017-2018.

That loss of revenue — the $157,256 and billing revenue from transports used to support city-provided EMS service, according to city official — came about when the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners chose to let their October 2016 vote to cancel a long-standing contract with the City of Washington to provide EMS coverage in Washington Township, basically in areas north and west of the city. The county plans to provide EMS coverage in the areas of the township not inside the city limits.

The loss of the revenue from the contract with the county will not break the city’s bank account. It will result in city officials look for sources that could supply the revenue the city is losing because of the contract cancellation. One sure way to replace the lost money would be for the city to raise taxes during the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1. Don’t expect that to happen.

On Saturday, the City Council gets together at a retreat to plan for the city’s future. Although not specifically listed on the agenda for the retreat, it’s a safe bet the council members, the mayor and other city officials will discuss the situation. And as the council, mayor and city staff move into budget-preparation mode in coming weeks, look for them to explore options to replace the revenue the city will be losing. Perhaps, since city EMS crews will no longer be the primary provider of EMS coverage outside the city limits, the city will see the cost of running its EMS operations reduced. A combination of reduced expenses and a new revenue source can help the city fill in the hole in its budget.

The county has the right to assume the responsibility of provide EMS coverage in the township areas outside the city. It would have been nice if the county told the city last October it planned to cancel its EMS contract with the city. That would have given city officials more time to address the revenue loss the city will experience.

Finding a way to fill in that hole in the city’s budget is a task for the City Council, which will find a workable solution. It’s just one of the challenges city officials will face as they put together a budget for the 2017-2018 fiscal year.

Addressing those challenges begins Saturday at the retreat.