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Couchiching County pledges to work with International Falls on ambulance funding; council retains service through 2026

International Falls City Council · December 16, 2025

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Summary

Couchiching County sent a Dec. 9 letter committing staff to draft a proposed resolution/contract and to review statutes to find legally sound options for sustaining ambulance service; the council voted to retain the city's ambulance service through the 2026 license period while county work continues.

Couchiching County—s board has formally told the City of International Falls it will pursue a legally structured, equitable funding solution for ambulance service, and county staff were directed to draft a proposed resolution and conduct a statutory review, the mayor read at the Dec. 15 council meeting.

The letter, dated Dec. 9 and read into the record, was signed by Jason Shoblom, chairman of the Couchiching County Board. It says county staff will review Minnesota statutes (the letter cites chapters and specific sections) and prepare a proposed contract or resolution for the board—s review.

County commissioner Jason Shoblom, present at the meeting, told the council the county is —sincerely and truthfully looking into this— and believes it has —a path forward,— though legal interpretation and funding mechanism details remain under discussion.

Council response and vote: Councilors discussed distinctions between basic life support (BLS) and advanced life support (ALS) licensing, noting the city currently operates under a part-time ALS arrangement and does not have a full-time ALS license. Councillor Kaler moved, and the council voted unanimously to retain the ambulance service under the city—s current license through the end of 2026 while continuing intergovernmental coordination and planning for a longer-term funding mechanism.

What happens next: Commissioners and city staff indicated the county will explore a districtwide flat fee or taxing-district approach and will draft legal instruments for board consideration. Council members suggested the goal be implementation of a stable funding method for 2027.