Residents Learn About Pelican Rapids Area Ambulance Plan

Pelican Rapids EMS SSD information session. (OTC)

Pelican Rapids, MN – Over 100 people joined Otter Tail County in person and online Monday, October 5, to learn about a plan to keep ambulance service in the Pelican Rapids area following an announcement by Ringdahl Ambulance that it will not renew its current license to serve the area because of financial problems.

“We are in a tough spot,” said District 2 Commissioner Wayne Johnson. “We are just trying to keep (ambulance) service in this area. It doesn’t have to be a permanent solution, but people need to know that an ambulance will show up if they call 911.”

After the presentation, county commissioners and staff answered residents’ questions.

Earlier this year, Ringdahl Ambulance told area cities and townships it was having serious financial problems. In June, it told the Minnesota Office of Emergency Medical Services it would not renew its license to serve the Pelican Rapids primary service area.

This state license gives an ambulance provider the right and the duty to provide ambulance service in a set area. Ringdahl’s current license ends in March 2027. If nothing is done, people and businesses in the area will not have ambulance service.

The Pelican Rapids primary service area includes the cities of Pelican Rapids, Elizabeth, Vergas, Erhard, and Rothsay. It also covers the townships of Candor, Dora, Dunn, Erhards Grove, Friberg, Lida, Maine, Maplewood, Norwegian Grove, Oscar, Pelican, Scambler, Star Lake, and Trondhjem.

Many residents were surprised to learn that Minnesota law does not list emergency medical services (EMS) as an “essential service.” This means local governments are not required to provide it. Across Minnesota, ambulance service comes from a mix of private companies, hospitals, cities, and fire departments. How it is paid for often depends on the community.

Right now, Ringdahl Ambulance is paid mostly through private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid. The company has said this is not enough to keep going and that it needs more funding.

County staff explained that the county cannot give money directly to a for-profit business. But there are three other ways to help pay for local EMS:

Joint powers agreement. Cities and townships work together to share the work and the cost.
Special taxing district. A separate local board is formed. It can set its own tax to pay for the service.
Subordinate service district. The county creates the district, and only property owners in that area pay for the service.

Based on feedback from city and township leaders, Otter Tail County focused on a subordinate service district. Minnesota law (Chapter 375B) lets counties create these districts. If Otter Tail County creates one, it could apply for the area’s ambulance license and hire a provider through competitive bidding. It could also set property taxes or parcel fees to pay for the service. A parcel fee is a flat charge on each piece of property.

“We (the county) are not the only solution,” said Johnson. “We were put in this situation, and we must find a solution because, as a former commissioner said, ‘when we call 911 they don’t answer in St. Paul.”

Residents asked how much a subordinate service district would cost taxpayers. Staff said creating the district is the first step. If the county creates it after hearing from the public, it will begin budgeting and set a funding formula. Staff is looking at service fees and property assessments. Residents will have a chance to weigh in before anything is final.

Residents also asked whether the district could have an advisory board. Johnson said advisory boards are common, and the county would encourage one.

Residents can share their views at a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Monday, October 12, in the Pelican Rapids High School auditorium. People can comment in person or online during the hearing.

Written comments are also welcome. They must reach the county administrator’s office by 4:30 p.m. Friday, October 9. Mail comments to 520 W. Fir Ave., Fergus Falls, MN 56537, or email them to handerson@ottertailcounty.gov.

The County Board will review all comments. It will decide whether to create the district at its meeting Tuesday, October 13.

Visit ottertailcounty.gov/project/pr-ems-ssd for details. The page has a sign-up for project updates and a link to join the October 12 public hearing online.

Story courtesy of Otter Tail County.