STURGIS, S.D. – Rural residents who live just outside Sturgis city limits and are currently being served by the Sturgis Ambulance Service are being reminded about next week’s election.
Ross Lamphere with the Rural Sturgis Ambulance Group says there is some concern out there about next week’s election with the COVID-19 virus shutting down schools and events.
He says next week’s election is still set for Monday, March 23rd. However, the polling location has been changed from the Sturgis Community Center to the County Auditor’s Election Room at the Erskine Building on Sherman Street due to concern from the coronavirus. Polls will open at 7:00 a.m. and remain open until 7:00 p.m.
However, he says, you can always vote absentee. Forms may be picked up at the Meade County Auditor’s Office through this Friday.
If rural residents approve, the next step for the group will be to establish a board of directors. Then, they will determine how they want to about funding an ambulance service for the rural areas.
The vote is due to the city of Sturgis asking the rural areas to develop a way to help pay for the Sturgis Ambulance Service if they are to continue to receive it.
City residents pay for the ambulance through the property taxes.
Rural residents, if the vote is approved, can decide if they want to keep receiving the Sturgis Ambulance Service or start their own.
