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Yankton County Commission offers part-time ambulance administrator role to Elk Point applicant
Summary
After debate about coverage and costs, the commission voted to offer a one-year probationary, 24-hour/week ambulance administrator position to an applicant from Elk Point. Commissioners split on risks to service continuity but approved the hire.
The Yankton County Commission voted Nov. 18 to make an offer to an applicant from Elk Point to serve as the county’s ambulance administrator on a part‑time (24 hours per week) basis with a one‑year probationary period.
Commissioners and staff told the commission the county has been advertising for a full‑time administrator for about a year without finding a suitable candidate. Chair (speaker) introduced the applicant as someone who recently moved back from California and has prior ambulance administrative experience. Gary, who discussed the applicant’s schedule, said the candidate “needed the federal insurance” tied to another job and would work a hybrid schedule commuting from Elk Point.
Debate focused on operational risk and cost. One commissioner warned that the ambulance service is a “24 7 operation” and questioned whether a 24‑hour‑per‑week administrator who sometimes works remotely could reliably cover day‑to‑day needs and step into frontline roles. Another commissioner urged trying the arrangement and noted potential long‑term cost savings; county staff said a full‑time administrator candidates had sought salaries in the $140,000 range.
The motion to make an offer to the Elk Point applicant passed after a roll call. The clerk read votes as: Rhonda — yes; Ryan — yes; Dan — no; Don — no; Don — yes (as recorded in the meeting transcript). The chair announced the motion carries. The offer is for a one‑year probationary arrangement; the commission said advertising would continue for other candidates during the year.
The commission did not set salary details in the public discussion; commissioners said the part‑time arrangement would not include health benefits and that the yearlong probation would allow the county to terminate the arrangement if it proved unworkable. The commission also emphasized continuing recruitment for a full‑time administrator.
