By Josh Margolis
HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – Havre and Hill County are at odds over funding for Ambulance services.
In a letter to the County Commissioners dated February 21st, Mayor Tim Solomon said that if the county ignores their request for assistance, Havre will stop providing ambulance services outside of city limits beginning July 1st.
The letter notes that operating costs have increased significantly since a mill levy was approved in 1977 to support Ambulance services. It adds that, “in 1985, the amount of support was arbitrarily reduced to two-thirds of a mill, with the rural ambulance service receiving the other one-third.
Solomon argues that because of this, the county is not paying their fair share of Ambulance fees. Figures in the letter show that despite 28 percent of all ambulance calls coming outside city limits in fiscal year 2019, the county paid just 5 percent ($26,768) of the total taxpayer subsidy ($523,961).
In an email response to the letter earlier this week, County Commissioner Mark Peterson said the county is considering putting a mill levy on the November ballot to provide additional funding. He also asked for more data from the city showing ambulance expenses over a larger period of time.
In a phone interview on Friday, Peterson told New Media Broadcasters he did not know why there is a three month gap between the letter from the city and the county’s initial response.
“I just don’t have an answer why there is a gap there. When people come over and ask for more money, it doesn’t mean you jump and send them more money. You need to have back up information.”
This issue will be on the agenda at the June 1st City Council meeting.
It is unclear if the July 1st date could be moved back if a mill levy is put on the November ballot.
“If we get threatened to have the services shut off, we’ll have to try and figure out what to do. But you can’t just print money real quick and get it out. It’s gotta go through a process. The City should understand the same thing. But any increases the County does has to go through the public for approval.”
