By Robert Williams

Editor

After two recent meetings with the public regarding emergency medical services in the Pelican Rapids and Vergas areas, Otter Tail County Commissioners elected to withdraw a resolution to submit the primary service application (PSA) through the state of Minnesota and the office of EMS and create an Emergency Medical Service Subordinate Service District (SSD) to support ambulance services in the Pelican Rapids area.

There are 14 townships: Candor, Dora, Dunn, Erhards Grove, Friberg, Lida, Maine, Maplewood, Norwegian Grove, Oscar, Pelican, Scambler, Star Lake and Trondhjem; and 4 cities Pelican Rapids, Elizabeth, Vergas and Erhard involved in the service district.

The county will also have a request for proposal process to solicit bids from EMS providers that could come into the area to protect against a gap in services.

The SSD will be established this year, but the levy for funding would not happen until next year, continuing funding to 2028.

Some self-funding will be necessary to fill the gap between April 2027 and the end of the year.

Commissioner Sean Sullivan suggested beginning the RFP process as soon as possible to allow the board to consider all funding options.

“In the interest of transparency, we’re not gaining much by doing the SSD today; I think it’d be better to have the financing plan in place for the public,” Sullivan said.

Commissioner Kurt Mortenson questioned whether the SSD needs to be created first before funding can be pursued. To which, Sullivan suggested tabling the SSD discussion until RFPs are returned and more concrete numbers are known from the RFPs to allow for discussions on actual numbers to aid in funding decisions.

Commissioner Wayne D. Johnson clarified that the board is establishing a district and nothing else. 

“We’re not committing any dollars; we’re not committing any levy – we’re simply designating an area that can be used and it is the exact same area, short two sections of Wilkin County that are in the PSA – that’s all we’re doing here,” Johnson said.

Sullivan agreed, but rebutted due to an option Sullivan believes can be petitioned by the voters of the district.

“I think the more information we can provide – there’s 30 days notice for them to petition it – We don’t have to levy anything. We’re not going to levy anything until budget season anyways,” said Sullivan. “We have time. I would just like more information. I think the board needs more information.”

Board Chair Bob Lahman cited his years of working with EMS departments and the meetings held with the public and its desire for the board to act.

“I’ve heard the people say we want the county to start to do something,” Lahman said. “And I think this is a start by doing this resolution. It’s not saying we’re going to do it; it’s saying we’re going to start the process.”

Lahman continued stating by passing the resolution it increases the chances of getting RFP bids.

“Because they know who they are talking to and who might be in charge of the service,” said Lahman. “We’ve wasted a lot of time over the years waiting already and never getting anything done. So, I think we’ve got to take that first step and start working on it more diligently.”

Sullivan agreed again, but rebutted that it makes sense to get a number first so the board can present a resolution that has complete information for the county residents.

Commissioner Dan Bucholz stated the board has never voted the day after a public hearing.

A public hearing was held the day prior on Monday, Oct. 12.

“I think we’ve got to give this more time,” Bucholz said, citing the funding aspect being the biggest problem. “What’s the formula to get this done for all the townships, cities, or whatever?”

Bucholz believes this issue is the responsibility of the townships and/or cities involved, not the county. He claimed that townships in the county have not reasonably discussed any answers of their own.

“So now it’s on us,” said Bucholz. “It’s a township tax; it’s a county tax, whatever, it’s a tax, but it’s still, to me, it lies in the hands of the township and the cities. It’s their baby, not ours. So nothing’s been done. So now, okay, we’ve got to do it? I suppose, but I don’t like it one bit, at all.”

County Attorney Michelle Eldien noted the townships would not have the option to opt out of services if the service district was created.

Bucholz concerns are around opt out responses from the Perham area.

“I think that solves this issue,” said Eldien. “I think the remaining issue that I heard, starting last night and even days before, it seemed like the funding mechanism and having more clarity of that for the public before this board felt comfortable. So, that is, I guess, the second option would be, can I clarify Commissioner Sullivan to help with the resolution for Miss Hansen and I. If this were to be set for the meeting, let’s say at the end of October, would the resolution satisfy you as a commissioner, as far as just laying out the options that are there for the three funding mechanisms? Because I don’t know in that date we would have necessarily RFPs. We would not have all of the financial data for you guys to make a final budgeting decision, which would likely not be until December.”

“We definitely need to have that presentation on our options and what that looks like,” said Sullivan. “It can get kind of complex on who is going to get taxed, who is not going to taxed, and how? I’m just wondering why not wait to establish the SSD until everything is ready? Until we have the numbers? Until we understand what the dollar amount is that we’re going to need? This is only a 30-day process and we have until next budget season. We’ll have to carry it, I understand that, with reserves.”

Eldien brought up the Office of EMS and their standards of approving a PSA license if a resolution isn’t passed, citing recent Hubbard and Cass County processes.

Lahman reiterated that In discussions with cities and townships, there has been consistent preference for the county to establish an SSD.

Eldien will be meeting with the Office of EMS Monday, Oct. 19, to get more information on clarifying the process. The board has a working session on Oct. 27 and the next commissioner’s meeting is Nov. 3. A decision is expected by the latter date.

In March 2026, Ringdahl Ambulance notified cities and townships within its Primary Service Area (PSA) of significant financial shortfalls. An informational session followed in April 2026 to explore options available under Minnesota law. State statute allows counties to support EMS providers through a joint powers agreement, special taxing district, or subordinate service district.

In June, Ringdahl Ambulance formally notified the Minnesota Office of Emergency Medical Services that it does not intend to renew its Primary Service Area license for the Pelican Rapids service area (License No. 0192) upon its expiration in 2027. The notice was provided well in advance to allow adequate time for service continuity planning.