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International Falls council asks county to include city in ambulance taxing-district planning
Summary
Facing long-running questions about the future of local ambulance coverage, councilors authorized a letter asking the county to present a letter of intent to form an ambulance taxing district and to include the city; the council approved the request unanimously.
The International Falls City Council authorized the mayor to sign a letter asking the county to present a letter of intent and to include the city in a proposed ambulance taxing district.
Mayor said the council has been meeting since July to study the feasibility of continuing the ambulance service solely under city operation and has gathered information from private contractors and other jurisdictions. The mayor told colleagues that if a taxing district is established it would likely take effect in 2027, and the county recently passed what the mayor described as a supportive resolution; the method of taxation (general property levy versus a per-parcel fee) remained under investigation.
A motion directing staff (Betty) to draft the letter for the mayor’s signature passed unanimously. Chief Manasa and Administrator Bergstrom were present and offered no additional comments when the council discussed the next steps.
At the public comment period resident Lois Lundeen said the community is encouraged by the council’s efforts and hopeful for a good resolution soon.
Councilors stressed the need to finalize arrangements because the community requires continuous ambulance coverage; the letter to the county asks the county to formalize intent and to include the city in district planning.
