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Cities and county debate ambulance contracts; legal counsel says EMS is private business
Summary
Area city representatives and county officials debated whether payments to McCook County EMS should be through contracts or a taxing district; State's Attorney Mike Fink stated, 'not a taxing district, McCook County EMS is a private business.' No contract was signed and the ambulance budget was left unchanged in the adopted budget.
Representatives from Salem, Canistota and Montrose joined McCook County officials on Sept. 24 to discuss how cities should support ambulance services. McCook County EMS’s proposed budget for 2025 was reported at $254,300; Bridgewater Ambulance Service was listed at $46,400.
The meeting explored multiple options: Montrose proposed creating a taxing district subject to a vote; city representatives and some county officials discussed city payments to the county and possible memoranda of understanding. State's Attorney Mike Fink warned against treating the county as a taxing district for EMS, stating, "not a taxing district, McCook County EMS is a private business." Attorney Tim Bottum stressed that a written contract is vital if cities plan to provide funds to a third‑party operator. BJ Stiefvater recommended continuing with a contract rather than forming a district, while some commissioners expressed concern about the county assuming obligations if it signs a contract.
Ultimately the commission adopted the 2025 budget without changing the ambulance line items. Commissioners and city representatives agreed to further discussions; options included a one‑time payment, monthly payments, or drafting a one‑year contract to spell out responsibilities.
