AUGUST 17, 2022:
The Stanley and Hughes County Commissions are holding a public hearing today (Aug. 17, 2022) on the proposed formation of the Central South Dakota Ambulance District.
An informational open house will be held from 4-5:30pm in the Dakota Room at River Cities Public Transit in Pierre (1600 E Dakota Avenue). The joint meeting will start at 5:30pm.
The two county commissions and the towns of Fort Pierre, Pierre, Blunt and Harrold are supporting the resolution creating the ambulance district that would serve Hughes and Stanley Counties. Voters will have the final say in the matter when they go to the polls in November (2022).
The joint meeting will also be available via phone. To join, dial 1-667-770-1890 and enter access code: 5534266. Please mute your phone when not addressing the Commissions.
A second public hearing will be held next week (Aug. 25, 2022, at 6pm) at the Senior Center in Fort Pierre.
The current agreement with American Medical Response to provide ambulance services within the respective jurisdictions expires at the end of this year. Should the proposed district be approved, someone who has a home with a tax value of $250,000, would pay less than $60 annually for the ambulance district fee.
If the ambulance district is on the November ballot and voters don’t approve its creation, AMR could discontinue service in Hughes and Stanley County. AMR says their cost to operate in the two counties has increased dramatically in the past few years, primarily because of a lack of staff. AMR has been forced to hire traveling paramedics from as far away as California to cover gaps in staffing here– which means covering the cost of travel, lodging and meals in addition to the wages for traveling paramedics.
AUGUST 3, 2022:
Add Pierre and Stanley County to the list of local governments who have passed a resolution supporting the creation of the Central South Dakota Ambulance District.
Hughes County, Fort Pierre and Blunt have also approved the resolution. Harrold will also consider the proposal.
Pierre City Commissioner Vona Johnson says the current agreement with American Medical Response to provide ambulance services within the respective jurisdictions expires at the end of this year.
Johnson says there are ambulance districts in other parts of the state.
If someone has a home with a tax value of $250,000, the person would pay less than $60 annually for the ambulance district fee.
An informational meeting will be held Aug. 17, 2022, at 5:30pm at River Cities Public Transit in Pierre.
If the ambulance district is on the November ballot and voters don’t approve its creation, AMR could discontinue service in Hughes and Stanley County.
AUGUST 2, 2022:
The Hughes County Commission and the Fort Pierre City Council have unanimously approved resolutions supporting the creation of the Central South Dakota Ambulance District. It could include Hughes and Stanley counties and the towns included within those boundaries.
Hughes County Manager Kevin Hipple says to continue providing service in the area, AMR is requesting a subsidy increase of $280,000 annually (from $135,000 to $415,000).
Currently Pierre, Fort Pierre and the two counties have an agreement with American Medical Response to provide ambulance services within their jurisdictions. That agreement includes a subsidy from each of the four local governments, which expires at the end of this year.
Fort Pierre City alderman Scott Deal says workforce issues have been driving up costs for years and AMR had been covering the expense.
Fort Pierre Mayor Gloria Hanson says all entities involved have to pass a resolution of intent to form the ambulance district.
Hanson says if someone has a home with a tax value of $250,000, the person would pay less than $60 for the ambulance district fee.
The Pierre City Commission and the Stanley County Commission will each consider the ambulance district resolution during their respective meetings this evening (Aug. 2, 2022).
The towns of Blunt and Harrold will also consider similar resolutions.
If not passed, AMR could discontinue service in Hughes and Stanley County.
AUGUST 1, 2022:
The Cities of Pierre and Fort Pierre, as well as Hughes and Stanley Counties are hoping to change the way ambulance service is subsidized within the two counties, but they need a vote of the public to do it.
Together, the two cities and the two counties currently have an agreement with American Medical Response (AMR) to provide ambulance services within their jurisdictions. That agreement includes a subsidy from each of the four local governments; the agreement is expiring the end of this year. To continue providing service in the area, AMR is requesting a subsidy increase of $280,000 annually.
“When AMR brought the increase forward, they indicated workforce issues have been driving up costs for years,” said Pierre Public Safety Commissioner Vona Johnson. “They’re struggling to find and retain paramedics, and they have been covering those increased costs for some time.”
AMR’s fee for services next year is $415,000, rather than the current $135,000.
“Under the existing agreement, the local government entities are able to absorb the costs; it’s unlikely all the jurisdictions will be able to continue doing that into the future,” said Johnson.
To help combat the rising costs and associated budget shortfalls, the group wants to create an ambulance district. The district would allow a special property tax assessment to cover the cost of ambulance services provided within the ambulance district of Hughes and Stanley Counties.
“State law allows the district to collect only enough to cover costs,” said Johnson. “If you own a $250,000 home, it’ll be less than $60 a year.”
Per state law, a public vote is required to establish an ambulance district and collect a special assessment on its behalf. This week, the Cities of Pierre, Fort Pierre and Blunt, as well as Hughes and Stanley counties are considering resolutions to endorse the idea and take it to the voters in November. Other communities located in Hughes and Stanley Counties may consider the issue at a later date.
“We don’t foresee the cost of business going down anytime soon,” said Johnson. “Collectively, we think an ambulance district is the best way to ensure ongoing, reliable ambulance service to all of the citizens in Hughes and Stanley Counties.”
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