Barnesville Ambulance asks county for larger share as service shifts to paid staffing
Loading...
Summary
The director of Barnesville Ambulance presented a budget and funding request to the Clay County Board on July 15, citing increased staffing costs and service demand; county commissioners raised concerns about the size of the requested increase and asked for further collaboration with the city and townships.
Avril Whiteford, director of Barnesville Ambulance, told the Clay County Board of Commissioners on July 15 that the volunteer-heavy ambulance service has moved toward mostly paid staffing and is seeking additional local funding to cover growing operating deficits.
Whiteford described the service footprint and operations: Barnesville Ambulance serves Barnesville, Baker and Rollag and covers roughly 442 square miles including part of Wilkin County and 27.5 miles of Interstate 94 (mile markers 10–37.5). The service handled about 411 calls in 2024 and transported roughly 277 patients to hospitals, Whiteford said.
Why it matters: Whiteford told the board the change from volunteers to mostly paid staff has produced a marked increase in operating costs. In 2024 Barnesville Ambulance billed about $654,314 and collected $248,075.21; it wrote off approximately $330,164.34 in insurance discounts and sent around $40,988.63 to collections, she said.
Funding request and county reaction Whiteford said Barnesville’s 2025 city levy contribution increased from roughly $160,000 in 2024 to $300,000 for 2025 and that the township contributions have also risen; she asked the county to resume larger support rather than place the burden only on the city or townships. The director said townships had been receptive in meetings and in some cases indicated they could increase support this fall.
Commissioners expressed appreciation for the service and concerns about the size of the county request. Commissioner comments emphasized partnership: the board flagged dispatch funding, intergovernmental agreements with Sanford Ambulance, and the need for Barnesville and townships to meet the county halfway. Commissioner Mogile and others said the board would consider the request but requested additional detail before the September preliminary levy decision.
Operational issues Whiteford raised - Payment and reimbursement: Whiteford explained ambulances are treated primarily as transportation services and that many on‑scene treatments do not generate billings because no transport occurs. She said ambulance services’ ability to bargain with insurers is limited compared with hospital-based systems. - Staffing and coverage: Whiteford said the service maintains ALS availability more than 90% of the time but is struggling to recruit volunteers for unpaid roles, which has forced the move to paid staffing and increased costs.
Next steps: Whiteford said Barnesville would continue to pursue state grant opportunities and township support and will provide additional documentation for the county’s budget process. The board asked staff to review the request and related partnerships (including dispatch cost-sharing) and to return with recommendations by the preliminary levy deadline in September.
