Dunn County to help pay legal costs as two rural ambulance districts pursue shared management

Dunn County Board of Commissioners voted to help pay legal fees so Halliday and Kildeer ambulance districts can contract for shared management in an effort to sustain emergency medical services across the county.

Sarah, a county staff member who briefed the board, said Halliday’s ambulance service "is struggling to keep personnel staffed 24 7, 3 65." She described a proposal under which Halliday would retain its own license and taxing district while contracting with Kildeer for management and noted county officials are planning to hire an attorney with EMS experience to draft the agreement.

Commissioner Pelton moved to provide legal-fee assistance and the motion was seconded; the board approved the expenditure on a roll-call vote. The clerk called votes and recorded "yes" responses from Commissioners Heizer, Olson, Pelton, Clayman and Donzell. The motion carried.

The board said it will contract with attorney Adam Parker of Bismarck to handle legal questions tied to EMS licensing and contracts; Parker was identified by the chair as an attorney who "specializes in EMS and these kind of things." Sarah told commissioners that legal costs were a key hurdle because the ambulance districts operate on narrow margins and need help to finalize the management contract.

Commissioners emphasized preserving local ambulance coverage and discussed keeping separate licenses to ensure Halliday retains service for its immediate area. Commissioner 3 (a county lawmaker on the dais) said, "Anybody that's ever waited for an ambulance ... really appreciates it when one comes," underscoring the urgency of sustaining service.

Next steps: staff will contract with counsel and return with any agreement or funding details for future action by the board.