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Yankton County votes to allow ambulances to answer calls up to 5 miles outside county after debate
Summary
After a lengthy debate over transparency and fiscal limits, the Yankton County Commission voted to allow county ambulances to respond to calls up to 5 miles beyond the county border as availability permits, with a roll‑call vote approving the policy change.
The Yankton County Commission voted March 17 to allow county ambulances to answer emergency calls up to five miles beyond the county border when crews are available, a change the board approved after an hourlong discussion about process, public notice and fiscal exposure.
The motion, made by Ryan and seconded by Wanda, allows ambulance crews to continue answering out‑of‑county calls as they have in practice, subject to prioritizing Yankton County calls. "They do reject calls if they can't. They are prioritizing our citizens," Ryan said, describing the service's approach over the past year.
Opposition focused on the absence of a written agreement and whether county property tax–funded EMS should routinely serve communities outside the county. One committee member warned that county resources are funded by local property taxes and argued such arrangements should come before the commission for public input. "I don't like the idea of expending Yankton County property tax dollars in other counties," the committee member said, calling for transparency and a formal mutual‑aid agreement.
County EMS and sheriff's staff told the board the county had provided transports to communities such as Irene for decades and that recent calls were not losing money; staff said improved billing practices and the county running its own billing reduced prior undercollection. "We were not losing money on those calls," EMS staff said, noting recent reimbursement figures.
After discussion and a failed substitute motion seeking a written agreement first, the board called a roll‑call vote. The tally was Ryan yes, Wanda yes, Dan no, Don yes and John yes; the motion carried.
What happens next: commissioners asked staff to compile mutual‑aid agreements, any available financial projections and an updated EMS financial report for the April 7 meeting. The vote does not specify permanent contractual terms; commissioners said a written agreement could still be negotiated and returned to the commission for approval.
