Moody County Commissioners have postponed their response to the City of Flandreau’s invitation to join a newly formed Ambulance Task Force. A decision is now expected at their next meeting on January 7.
The Commission initially planned to decline the offer last week, citing frustration over the lack of progress in previous task force discussions. But the discussion is far from new.
The debate over the county’s ambulance service and how to fund it has gone on for decades. Since the late 1980s, the county has provided ambulance services despite no legal obligation to do so.
Low reimbursement rates have consistently meant losses for the county. In recent years however, it’s led to an annual loss of approximately $70,000 per year, prompting repeated requests for financial support from the city.
“What doesn’t make sense to me is the dynamics of, ‘we’re forming a committee to run your ambulance,’” said Commission Chairwoman Carla Bruning, explaining the county’s hesitation to participate in the latest task force.
Previous meetings in September, commissioners stated, failed to yield any solutions. All agreed they were wary of committing additional time without some guarantee of progress.

Running the ambulance is something city officials maintain is not the purpose of ongoing talks.
“We are hoping by getting everyone together, we can find ways to assist. Over my last few conversations, it seems that the Council is committed to assisting the Ambulance monetarily, but it is their goal to do so in a meaningful way,” said City Administrator Cohl Turnquist.
The city remains hopeful for collaboration.
“It is my goal to ensure our community does have reliable ambulance service and provide the care that our residents have become accustomed to and deserve,” said Mayor Sutton, at the Council’s most recent regular meeting.
The city’s new task force includes Police Chief Zach Weber, Fire Chief Don Peters, FSST Police Chief Brian Arnold, FSST Chairman Tony Reider or Ryan Kills-A-Hundred, Avera Flandreau Hospital Administrator Bryan Breitling, and several community members.

"I believe that what has gotten lost in this conversation is the fact that we have an excellent Ambulance service. We have a dedicated staff and good equipment. It is being run well. The county is in need of a place to house the Ambulance and the out-of-town staff that work for us. Our hope in reaching out to the city council was to get financial help from the entity that is using the service most in the county," sai Bruning.

The county’s August 2023 request for support included an annual subsidy and, if possible, the city’s old fire hall to enhance operations. County officials emphasize that the majority of ambulance calls occur within city limits, making additional city contributions reasonable.
They also cite the need for better facilities and higher pay to attract and retain staff, noting that poor living quarters and low wages have deterred applicants for years.
City officials, however, argue they already support the ambulance service through property taxes and other means, including mutual aid.
While the task force begins its work, with its likely first meeting to be held in early January, the county has taken steps to address staffing challenges.
Part-time paramedic Tony Aas, a retired Watertown firefighter and former Moody County Deputy Sheriff, officially started on December 27 and will be on call every other weekend.