Stutsman County auditor says special election won't be pursued for ambulance district
Apr. 3—JAMESTOWN — Jamestown Area Ambulance will not push for a special election to create an ambulance district to help with funding, according to Jessica Alonge, Stutsman County auditor/chief operating officer.
Alonge told the Stutsman County Commission on Tuesday, April 1, that Jamestown Area Ambulance will continue to educate the public on its issues. She said Jamestown Area Ambulance could revisit the creation of an ambulance district during the next election cycle.
Jamestown Area Ambulance
is facing issues
with staffing and reimbursement prices for ambulance transports. The cost of operating an ambulance service has increased by 66% over the last decade while reimbursement prices for the transports have increased 12%, The Jamestown Sun reported in March.
At an emergency medical service town hall in March, community leaders discussed the possibility of creating an ambulance district to help with funding. The creation of an ambulance district would require voter approval.
The county commission unanimously approved extending the completion date to July 2025 for a feasibility study on how to move water from basins in western Stutsman County and Crystal Springs Lake.
Jerry Bergquist, commission chairman, said the study was expected to be complete in March.
Mike Gunsch, senior project manager with Houston Engineering, said his staff has to find more information for the feasibility study.
The feasibility study will show the benefits of removing excess waters, how much of the 250-square-mile watershed is contributing to flooding, regulatory issues, alternative options to remove water and the cost to remove the excess water.
The study will also help determine what the cost is to move water in different directions. The county is looking to move water to the west to the Missouri River, north to Wells County where Pipestem Creek and the James River originate, or east from Crystal Lakes toward Pipestem Creek and James River.
Gunsch said five different routes to move the water have been looked at.
He added that he will request additional funding for the study at the next commission meeting on April 15. He said additional funding will need to be requested from the State Water Commission.
Gunsch said an additional $40,000 would be needed and the local share would be about $20,000.
The county commission unanimously approved supporting a request from the Stutsman County Fair Association to begin the necessary steps to transfer a county parcel to the association.
Stutsman County Sheriff Chad Kaiser said the Stutsman County Fair Association and the county each got a parcel in 1959 when the fair moved from downtown Jamestown to the current fairgrounds. He said one parcel was given to the association and the other was given to the county, which was then given to the association for the Stutsman County Fair.
Alonge said the county paid $4,250 to for the property.
Kaiser said past commissioners have tried to remove the county's name off the parcel and transferred to the association because of liability reasons.
Alonge said the parcel cannot be sold, leased or disposed of without the consent of the secretary for the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Kaiser said approval is needed by the county commission to allow the Stutsman County Fair Board to contact the Bureau of Reclamation to remove Stutsman County's name from the parcel.
In other business, the county commission unanimously approved a letter of support for the 70th anniversary of the debut of "The Lawrence Welk Show."
Scott Wheeler said he is trying to raise awareness about North Dakota native Lawrence Welk's contributions to music and entertainment. Wheeler said he is looking to request a proclamation from Gov. Kelly Armstrong honoring Welk.
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Stutsman County auditor says special election won't be pursued for ambulance district
Apr. 3—JAMESTOWN — Jamestown Area Ambulance will not push for a special election to create an ambulance district to help with funding, according to Jessica Alonge, Stutsman County auditor/chief operating officer. Alonge told the Stutsman County Commission on Tuesday, April 1, that Jamestown Area Ambulance will continue to educate the public on its issues. She said Jamestown Area Ambulance could revisit the creation of an ambulance district during the next election cycle. Jamestown Area Ambulance is facing issues with staffing and reimbursement prices for ambulance transports. The cost of operating an ambulance service has increased by 66% over the last decade while reimbursement prices for the transports have increased 12%, The Jamestown Sun reported in March. At an emergency medical service town hall in March, community leaders discussed the possibility of creating an ambulance district to help with funding. The creation of an ambulance district would require voter approval. The county commission unanimously approved extending the completion date to July 2025 for a feasibility study on how to move water from basins in western Stutsman County and Crystal Springs Lake. Jerry Bergquist, commission chairman, said the study was expected to be complete in March. Mike Gunsch, senior project manager with Houston Engineering, said his staff has to find more information for the feasibility study. The feasibility study will show the benefits of removing excess waters, how much of the 250-square-mile watershed is contributing to flooding, regulatory issues, alternative options to remove water and the cost to remove the excess water. The study will also help determine what the cost is to move water in different directions. The county is looking to move water to the west to the Missouri River, north to Wells County where Pipestem Creek and the James River originate, or east from Crystal Lakes toward Pipestem Creek and James River. Gunsch said five different routes to move the water have been looked at. He added that he will request additional funding for the study at the next commission meeting on April 15. He said additional funding will need to be requested from the State Water Commission. Gunsch said an additional $40,000 would be needed and the local share would be about $20,000. The county commission unanimously approved supporting a request from the Stutsman County Fair Association to begin the necessary steps to transfer a county parcel to the association. Stutsman County Sheriff Chad Kaiser said the Stutsman County Fair Association and the county each got a parcel in 1959 when the fair moved from downtown Jamestown to the current fairgrounds. He said one parcel was given to the association and the other was given to the county, which was then given to the association for the Stutsman County Fair. Alonge said the county paid $4,250 to for the property. Kaiser said past commissioners have tried to remove the county's name off the parcel and transferred to the association because of liability reasons. Alonge said the parcel cannot be sold, leased or disposed of without the consent of the secretary for the U.S. Department of the Interior. Kaiser said approval is needed by the county commission to allow the Stutsman County Fair Board to contact the Bureau of Reclamation to remove Stutsman County's name from the parcel. In other business, the county commission unanimously approved a letter of support for the 70th anniversary of the debut of "The Lawrence Welk Show." Scott Wheeler said he is trying to raise awareness about North Dakota native Lawrence Welk's contributions to music and entertainment. Wheeler said he is looking to request a proclamation from Gov. Kelly Armstrong honoring Welk.
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Central Valley Health District brings programs to the community
Mar. 29—Editor's note: This story and accompanying photo are advertorial content in the 2025 "Moving the Community Forward" special section of The Jamestown Sun. JAMESTOWN — Central Valley Health District has been working to be more visible in the community, said Kara Falk, executive director, with its programs, presentations and nursing services. "For us, looking at moving the community forward, public health is community," she said. "Our definition is community to prevent and promote and protect the wellness of it." "In our maternal health department, we did a lot of work this year with the James River Valley Breastfeeding Coalition in working to make breastfeeding more accessible and attainable out in the community," said Shannon Klatt, director of health promotion. They hosted breastfeeding stations at community events including the A-Maze-N Clown Pumpkin Patch, Stutsman County Fair and Jamestown Speedway races, she said. CVHD also hosted the North Dakota Biennial Breastfeeding Conference for the first time, Klatt said, which brought in more than 100 breastfeeding professionals from across the state to learn from nationwide experts. The health district hosted five car seat checkup events in communities, Klatt said. Klatt and Jill Wald, a car seat tech, also provided car seat safety education to child welfare workers to ensure they're doing safe practice when they're in the field. Falk noted CVHD distributes car seats for free or reduced rates as well. "We were able to get a grant and we partnered with three different classrooms through Stutsman County and Logan County that provided garden boxes in classrooms to try to help students grow vegetables to provide more nutritious means and education, understanding of the nutrition and value of something like a garden," Falk said. CVHD also hosted events on substance misuse and prevention, she said. "We hosted a Mental Health Night at Jamestown High School for the girls and boys basketball games and provided resources regarding mental health awareness," she said. CVHD hosted award-winning speaker Michael DeLeon, Falk said. "He spoke to over 1200 local students about prevention and youth empowerment," she said. "He came to the high school and then he also presented for the entire community at the high school too." Falk said CVHD partnered with Jamestown High School for the event and several rural schools bused students to the event. CVHD's annual Kids Safety Day event for preschoolers was held at the Jamestown Civic Center. Health and safety partners were invited to host booths with education and provide resources for families and kids, Klatt said. A few hundred people turned out, Klatt said, for "a very fun-filled day." CVHD participated in the Community Block Party that brings University of Jamestown students to downtown, promoting health services it provides on campus for students, Falk said. Klatt said they began providing services there last year. Two days a week, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., they've offered wellness exams, strep tests, immunizations and mental health screenings, bringing care to students who might not have access off campus, Klatt said. Other events they participated in include the Buffalo Days Parade, Running of the Pink, Pound for Pink and Baskets, Bags and Bubbly, city of Jamestown staff wellness fair, the Winter Ag and Construction Expo and the Downtown Arts Market, sponsoring one of the markets, Falk said. The health unit's Mobile Health Clinic provided sports physicals in rural communities and immunizations and blood pressure checks on Mobile Mondays, Falk said. CVHD also brings flu shot clinics to businesses and schools, Klatt said. She said businesses may not be aware that CVHD can bring the service to them. "We go to them during respiratory season and we can provide that so your staff don't have to leave work to go and get a flu or COVID shot come that season," Klatt said. "We made it to 38 businesses this year." Kim Lee, director of nursing, said flu shots and COVID shots are also provided at CVHD and in the mobile health unit. She said they also provided cholesterol screenings on site to employees at several businesses. CVHD's emergency preparedness and response helped assist Anne Carlsen Center with its relocation of residents to its new campus, Falk said. The move included 35 children and all of Anne Carlsen Center's equipment. The agency used evacuation planning from the state for the process. "They used our expert here in our office to help make that be a flawless transition," Klatt said. CVHD collaborated to get the Buffalo City Memory Cafe, a monthly support group for those with dementia and their caregivers, Falk said. The Memory Cafe was recently formed in Jamestown by the James River Senior Center and Aging Services Division of the North Dakota Department of Human Services. "They talk about issues ranging from medication management to looking ahead to legal implications for advanced dementia stages," Falk said. CVHD is helping line up speakers and seeking donations for the group, Falk said. "It's a small group so far but we're hoping to get more aware of it," Lee said. The Memory Cafe meets from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at the James River Senior Center, 419 5th St. NE. Falk said CVHD has given a few presentations to the community and wants to get more programs for the community. Falk spoke to the Regional EMS Conference on communicable diseases and hand hygiene. Klatt said CVHD promoted Parents Lead, a state program which focuses on conversation starters. She said it provides opportunities for parents to have conversations with their children about anything from preventing substance use to bullying and cyberawareness issues. "... research shows that just sitting down and talking to your kids is a protective factor and it's the most substantial thing when it comes to prevention with youth," Klatt said. "They do a really good job highlighting things that you can do to take care of your kids." CVHD has an online platform called Credible Mind that provides people with resources, Klatt said. It's free to the community and is available at and on social media. "You can go on there and basically search anything that you may be struggling with or experiencing and that provides you with resources and podcasts and links to services ... so it's a really good resource to have at your fingertips," Klatt said. This year, Falk said CVHD would like to get Jamestown a Cardiac Ready Community status. "There is criteria through American Health Association for getting people CPR ready," she said. That would include getting AEDs through the community, she said, and mapping the AEDs in the community.
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Jamestown Area Ambulance facing staffing, reimbursement issues
Mar. 6—JAMESTOWN — Jamestown Area Ambulance is facing issues with staffing and reimbursement prices for ambulance transports, according to Ken Krupich, general manager for Ringdahl EMS. "We've got a reimbursement issue, which means we have a revenue issue, which means we have an employee issue," said Andrew Berkey, operations manager for Jamestown Area Ambulance. The cost of operating an ambulance service has increased by 66% over the last decade, according to Adam Parker with Werfel, Moore & Kelly Law Group. "I believe reimbursement over that same period has increased 12%," said Parker, who advocates for ambulance services across the state. Parker said insurance reimbursement rates have not grown in the ambulance industry. He said a federal study that was recently completed shows the average cost of an ambulance transport is about $2,670. The average reimbursement for that was about $1,140. "We only get paid for transport in most scenarios," he said. "So if we respond to somebody who called 911 and we don't transport them, many insurance providers don't reimburse for that call." Parker said the federal government sets the Medicare rates and commercial insurers set the reimbursement rates. Community leaders attended an emergency medical services town hall at Jamestown Area Ambulance on Tuesday, March 4. The informational meeting was held to inform the community about any changes that could occur in the operation of Jamestown Area Ambulance. "The purpose of today is to talk about where we currently are as an ambulance service, some of the challenges that we faced over the last few years that continue to deliver a little bit more of a hardship and complication into how we run our operation, and then to discuss with people who are stakeholders in that health care community on what the path forward is, what options do we have on the table, and how do they impact our communities, our services and our health care partners," Berkey said. Krupich said Jamestown Area Ambulance is not in a crisis. Ringdahl EMS operates Jamestown Area Ambulance. "We are not closing. We're not making immediate changes," he said. "However, a lot of ambulance services across the state, across the nation and within our service area in Casselton, Lisbon, Fergus Falls (Minnesota), Pelican Rapids (Minnesota), have had to make those changes. What we're trying to do ... is get you guys around the table before we have to make changes or if we have to make changes so that we can work together as a community ... ." Options to resolve the financial and staffing issues at Jamestown Area Ambulance included creating an ambulance district, which requires voter approval, and transitioning its license status from advanced life support to basic life support. An advanced life support ambulance requires a paramedic on the first ambulance when responding to a call for service. A basic life support ambulance only requires emergency medical technicians. "What that does for us is takes that requirement (to have a paramedic) away that the very first ambulance out the door has to happen, and ... it is that we're no longer held to that," he said, referring to transitioning Jamestown Area Ambulance's license status from advanced life support to basic life support. "If that were a direction we were to go, the objective remains the same: Get as many medics on the schedule as you absolutely can, put as many of them in the trucks as you can, but this gives us more freedom and flexibility to use the advanced life support resource the way we want to use it." He said Jamestown Area Ambulance is in a position to hire three paramedics. "We take them in a heartbeat, but they're just not there," he said. Jamestown Area Ambulance increased wages 7% for paramedics and 12.5% for emergency medical technicians, Berkey said. "If you look at the services in our area that are similar size, similar volume, it's safe to say we are competitive with them and trying to be competitive with our bigger neighbors in Fargo and Bismarck," he said. Berkey said accrual rates for paid time off were adjusted. "(We're) just trying to do things that make Jamestown ambulance look as attractive as it possibly can to outside employees in hopes that we can start recruiting more people to our community," he said. He said Jamestown Area Ambulance invested $45,000 to send its own emergency medical technicians to paramedic school. "That's worked very well for us," he said. Berkey said Jamestown Area Ambulance also implemented a response protocol in January 2024 that allows it to use paramedic resources in a more flexible way. He said state law currently requires a paramedic to be on the first ambulance that responds to a call for service. "So now a paramedic can go out in the quick response unit, and if another call comes out that is deemed more advanced life support, they can move around because they're not tied to that truck," he said. "It's been very successful for us, and honestly, really vital for us to continue to do what we're doing." Berkey said it's now routine for Jamestown Area Ambulance to have one advanced life support ambulance and a basic life support ambulance. "That just fluctuates based on who we were able to get on the schedule and how we're sitting for that day," he said. Jamestown Area Ambulance is continuing its recruiting efforts through social media, Indeed, other platforms and internal emergency medical technician courses. Berkey said other recruiting efforts include a sign-on bonus and supporting employees in furthering their education or their license. Community leaders discussed the possibility of creating an ambulance district to help with funding. The creation of an ambulance district would require voter approval. "One avenue that addresses some issues is ambulance districts," Parker said. He said an ambulance district is a political subdivision that follows the response boundaries of an ambulance service. "So it can cover multiple counties," he said. An ambulance district would have its own elected board that is responsible for ensuring that service is provided and adequate, Parker said. He said the district would then have the ability to levy tax dollars to support the ambulance service. "It would support payroll to attract and retain the best EMS professionals," he said. The tax dollars could also be used to help with operational costs. Parker said a new ambulance costs around $250,000, which doesn't include the equipment inside it. "Probably 10 years ago or 15 years ago, a new ambulance was probably about $110,000," Parker said. "When we look at the total cost increase over the last several years, it's just very difficult to sustain ambulance operations." Stutsman County Commissioner Jerry Bergquist said a lot of work has to be done to get an ambulance district approved by voters. He said the community knows it needs Jamestown Area Ambulance's service. "If you want my recommendation, I really would like to see you guys move forward with that," he said. The Barnes County Ambulance Service got the Barnes County Commission on board with the idea of creating an ambulance district so they can educate the public to get voter approval, said Andrea Suhr, an administrator with Barnes County Ambulance Service. "They were like a great liaison for us," she said
