Bonner County Ambulance District discusses TAN draw, staffing cuts and plans for separation from county services

Bonner County Ambulance Service District officials reviewed the district's cash position and recovery plan at a Feb. 3 standing meeting, including a planned partial repayment on a $2 million temporary advance note and contingencies for further draws to cover payroll through tax-collection cycles.

The discussion centered on the TAN the district drew against earlier in the fiscal year and on staffing and governance steps needed as the district separates day-to-day functions from county departments. Comptroller Jessica Stephanie presented updated cash figures and explained that the district drew $500,000 against a $2,000,000 TAN; about $1,500,000 of availability remained at the time of the discussion. She said interest accrued on the drawn portion was about $4,300 and recommended repaying $500,000 of principal so the TAN would remain open but not accrue further interest on additional principal drawn to date.

Why it matters: The Ambulance District is a separate taxing entity on paper, but decades of operating like a county department left ambiguity about which county offices provide payroll, auditing, HR and insurance support. That uncertainty affects whether the district must budget for services that county…