International Falls council authorizes letters, forms steering committee amid ambulance-service uncertainty

The International Falls City Council on Monday evening authorized a formal letter to St. Louis County asking for discussion of an ambulance taxing district, approved a two‑member ambulance steering committee and directed staff to contact state EMS authorities about whether the city could convert from its part‑time advanced life support (ALS) license to basic life support (BLS) only if paramedic service is no longer available.

The action came at a special meeting called by the mayor to continue council discussion on ongoing ambulance service problems in International Falls and the surrounding primary service area (PSA). The council voted unanimously on three motions: to draft and send a formal taxing‑district request, to form or reassign an ambulance steering committee, and to send an official letter asking state EMS officials whether a shift to BLS‑only service would be permitted and what the consequences would be.

Why it matters: council members and residents said the ambulance service shortfall could require a taxing district or other local funding and that the city needs clarity on licensing and regulatory effects before making operational changes or approving major capital purchases. Councilors and residents also discussed options for acquiring three ambulances the city has on order and whether refurbishing older units is feasible.

Council action and immediate direction

The council approved a motion by Councillor Holden, seconded by Councillor Wagner, authorizing the mayor to send a formal letter requesting county discussion about creating an ambulance taxing district and outlining the council's position and proposed service changes. The motion passed unanimously (5‑0).

Separately, the council approved a motion by Councillor Kaler, seconded by Councillor Wagner, to formally (re)establish an ambulance steering committee and assign Councillor Holden and the mayor to it. That motion passed unanimously (5‑0).

Finally, the council approved a motion by Councillor Kaler, seconded by Councillor Wagner, authorizing the mayor to send a letter to the appropriate state agency asking whether the city could legally drop its part‑time ALS certificate and operate BLS only, and what regulatory steps would be required. That motion passed unanimously (5‑0).

Discussion highlights and public comments

Fire Chief Manasa told the council, “We carry 2 licenses, so we do carry a BLS license and a part time ALS license,” when asked whether dropping the part‑time ALS certification would require regulatory notice or approval. Councilors said they preferred an official letter to the state office so the city would receive a formal response rather than an informal verbal opinion.

City staff reported there are parcels in St. Louis County within the city's PSA that would be affected if a taxing district were pursued; a county board member had requested a formal letter for the county file. The mayor said staff (Adam and Administrator Bergstrom) would finish a draft letter for the mayor’s review and signature.

Residents attending the meeting urged public transparency and staffing options. Former Councillor Paul Eklund said he would like the council to negotiate in public: “I would like to see the council go as a quorum, so open meeting law applies, so people can hear what's going on,” he said during the open forum. Resident Tyler Rear, who identified himself as living at 1201 Second Avenue East, suggested repairing existing ambulances rather than buying new ones and provided a repair‑cost estimate: “About anywhere between $30,000 to $40,000 per ambulance,” he said when discussing drivetrain and suspension repairs.

Helen Tweed, who attended the recent St. Louis County meeting in Birchdale, described broad county support for a taxing district and urged the city to coordinate with the county and nearby jurisdictions: “There wasn't 1 person that voiced a negative opinion about a taxing district for them out there,” she said.

Ambulance purchases, funding and refurbishment

Council members and staff discussed funding for three ambulances the city has on order. City staff reported prior allocations and grants: $256,000 from public safety funds, $125,000 from the county, and an additional budgeted $200,000 for the third unit. Councilors said payment is due on delivery; city staff said they do not expect delivery of the first two units until 2026.

On refurbishing older ambulances, Fire Chief Manasa and staff said previous estimates showed limited savings: earlier refurbishments had been less economical than new purchases when accounting for major chassis, box and electronics work. Chief Manasa noted electronic upgrades could cost thousands of dollars: one screen replacement alone could be about $5,000, and updating multiple units could approach $15,000.

Next steps and follow up

- Staff (Adam and Administrator Bergstrom) will finalize the formal taxing‑district letter for the mayor’s signature and forwarding to the county and other affected jurisdictions. - The mayor and Councillor Holden will serve on the ambulance steering committee and report back to the council. - The mayor will send an official letter to the state EMS office (EMSRB/Office of Emergency Management as referenced in the meeting) requesting guidance on converting from part‑time ALS to BLS and the regulatory steps required.

The mayor closed the meeting after the open forum with no further business.

Votes at a glance: the meeting recorded three formal council actions, all approved unanimously (5‑0): - Motion (Councillor Holden; second Councillor Wagner): authorize formal letter requesting county discussion on ambulance taxing district — approved 5‑0. - Motion (Councillor Kaler; second Councillor Wagner): formally form ambulance steering committee; assign the mayor and Councillor Holden — approved 5‑0. - Motion (Councillor Kaler; second Councillor Wagner): authorize letter to state EMS authorities asking whether the city may drop part‑time ALS and operate BLS only — approved 5‑0.