Faith Ambulance seeks $5,000; commissioners discuss ambulance districts and long‑term funding

Representatives of Faith Ambulance asked the county for $5,000 to help cover rising costs after the local service was closed for two years and to support the substation arrangement that now serves a broad rural area. The Faith representative said the service receives modest annual support from neighboring counties (Ziebach reported $4,000 annually) and that Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements and increased operating costs strain small volunteer or city‑supported services.

Commissioners discussed possible funding sources and structural options. Some suggested the county consider interim outside‑agency funds while communities pursue ambulance service districts (taxing districts or service areas) that would assess residents for ongoing support; county counsel noted those arrangements require referenda and can be complicated when services cross county lines. Commissioners also noted previous one‑time county support arrangements to bridge funding until a taxing district could be established.

No decision was reached at the meeting; commissioners said the request would be considered as part of outside‑agency appropriations during budget deliberations and asked staff to research potential funding pathways and constraints, including whether restricted opioid settlement funds could be used for ambulance operations or training.