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   WALKER— At its May 2 meeting, the Walker Ambulance Primary Service Area Special Taxing District Board voted unanimously to award the district’s ambulance services contract to North Memorial Health, continuing the long-standing relationship with the provider in the service area.

   The county received notice on Thursday, May 1 that Essentia Health withdrew its proposal, leaving North Memorial as the sole contender for the contract. While Essentia submitted a comprehensive bid outlining expanded coverage and lower long-term subsidy increases, its withdrawal effectively ended the competition.

   Cass County Administrator Josh Stevenson shared additional materials from North Memorial, addressing concerns about response times and service area coverage. North Memorial’s proposal emphasized its extensive infrastructure in the region, including contiguous coverage areas, mutual aid agreements, and its own dispatch and air care services. Officials also clarified that the proposed financial subsidies were based on worst-case operating scenarios, not attempts to recoup past losses.

   One potential shift in future planning was also discussed: an opportunity for other ambulance service providers to provide proposals for the Walker and Longville ambulance service areas 2027. This would allow the board to re-evaluate regional service continuity and efficiencies. It would also provide an opportunity for other ambulance service providers to have contiguous service areas in the region.

   Following the board’s vote, staff were directed to draft a formal contract with North Memorial for consideration at the next scheduled meeting on May 16.

   During the public hearings on the matter, the shortfall identified by the City of Walker was $650,000. 

When the Board requested proposals, North Memorial offered a cost cheaper than expected. During contract negotiations on a two-year term instead of five, North Memorial Health was able to provide a subsidy reduction. The shorter contract term provided less exposure to the contractor. The result was a $500,000 subsidy instead of $563,000 for the first year and an estimated $525,000 subsidy instead of $591,150 for the second year. Taxpayers in the Walker ambulance primary service area will experience a tax levy to help cover costs, but it will be smaller than original estimates.

   The brief but pivotal meetings highlighted the region’s ongoing efforts to maintain consistent and high-quality emergency medical care, especially during the busy summer season when visitor traffic and EMS demand increases.

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