Mayor seeks roundtable discussion over ambulance funding proposals
Discussions continue around the future of the International Falls ambulance services.
The service is facing mounting debt.
Efforts continue to find alternative funding sources.
The city advocates for a special tax levy to help the service recover.
Mayor Drake Dill says help is needed to continue Advanced Life Support, or ALS service.
“I’ll be very clear about it. If we do not get a joint powers taxing district for the 989 square mile area, my vote is to end ALS,” says Dill
Koochiching County is proposing a special levy with the money directed toward equipment, such as new ambulances.
Dill says he is not sure if he supports that idea.
“The clock is ticking on this, says Dill.
“Regardless of the outcome, they’ve (the County) been to Rainier. There are discussions happening behind the scenes, but at the end of the day, we know where the service is at. It’s a good service. There’s support for the service when we have to get everyone on board.”
Dill says he would like to convene a roundtable discussion in the near future with all parties interested in creating a taxing district or supporting this service.
