STURGIS, S.D. – Absentee voting has begun for rural Sturgis residents to decide whether or not to form an ambulance district.
The vote follows a decision by the city of Sturgis to end its ambulance service to those areas unless they find a way to help pay for it. City residents are taxed for the service and its part of their annual property taxes.
Those living in the rural areas just outside Sturgis and are served by the city-owned ambulance service can vote. Residents of Sturgis and the town of Buffalo Chip will not vote.
The election day for the vote is March 23rd.
If rural residents approve the tax district, there will be another election to set up a board of directors.
Rural residents will have the power to set up their own district – and that can include keeping and helping pay for the Sturgis Ambulance Service or setting up one of their own.
