International Falls continues talks on ambulance funding, staffing as taxing-district option explored

Residents and councilors pressed the International Falls City Council on Oct. 6 about the future of the International Falls Ambulance Service, amid staffing shortfalls, pending EMT training and questions about how state and county aid has been used.

The discussion, raised during public comment by Helen Tweed, focused on chronic understaffing and funding. Tweed said 10 people have signed up for an EMT class that starts Oct. 13 — four from nearby Little Fork — but the class will run through February, after the council has to act on ALS (advanced life support) staffing and funding decisions.

City leaders told the meeting they are exploring a joint powers taxing district covering a 989-square-mile area as one option to stabilize funding. Mayor (speaking in the meeting) explained the city’s accounting: when the ambulance fund runs a deficit, the general fund covers it and that creates an internal loan that has grown “to about 2,100,000.0 today,” which the mayor described as a rough figure. Tweed also cited recent public funding: “in 2024, International Falls Ambulance got $207,000; in 2023, we got $251,000 from the state,” and she said county board members told her the county contributed $125,000 toward ambulances in 2023.

Why it matters: Councilors said the service is valued locally but not yet affordable without broader support; one councilor said his vote would be to end ALS if a joint taxing district is not secured. Councilors and staff agreed a public roundtable with city administrators, county officials and other stakeholders will be scheduled within the next two weeks to discuss options and timing.

Details from the meeting - Staffing: Tweed said many current EMTs do not show for shifts; she described her son and other medics routinely covering extra hours to keep the service running. The Oct. 13 EMT class will not finish until February, she said, raising concerns about timing if changes occur on Dec. 31. - Funding and accounting: The mayor described how donations or grants applied to ambulance purchases are handled in city accounting (applied to the ambulance debt and in turn to the general fund), which can reduce the city’s reserves in years without surpluses. - Governance and approval: Council members noted the state Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) will determine who holds the ambulance certificate and that the structure of any taxing district could affect who can hold that certificate. - Next steps: The mayor said he will reach out to Administrator Bergstrom, councilors, county officials and community stakeholders to arrange a roundtable at Bacchus within about two weeks to discuss a taxing district and other funding/staffing solutions.

The council did not take a formal vote on service structure or ALS termination at the Oct. 6 meeting; members framed the matter as urgent and scheduled follow-up public and intergovernmental discussions.

Residents and officials who spoke (selected) - Helen Tweed, resident (public comment) - Mayor (spoke during council discussion) - Councilor Kaylor (referred to his earlier motion and position) - Administrator Bergstrom (referenced as staff to be involved)

Ending: Councilors characterized the matter as time-sensitive and said they will pursue a public information process and stakeholder roundtable soon to clarify costs, timelines and governance options before further action.